-New administration to focus on international rapport and revitalize foreign relations
-He pledges zero-tolerance on corruption and public pilfers
-Urges for concerted and collective efforts in overcoming major challenges facing the nation
By M.A. Egge
In his inaugural speech widely which has been hailed and billed as one that has appealed to the nation of Somaliland populaces in a long while given its healing call, the new President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, popularly known as Irro, addressed the audience, the nation and the world in a passionate manner that touched so many a heart during his inauguration as the 6th Head of State.
He has called for healing, unity and solidarity after inheriting a nation divided and recession hitting the economy.
He acknowledge that “the challenges before us are not small, we cannot underestimate our divisions that require us to reunite, we cannot minimize the severe recession that has befallen our economy, the existing security challenges, the heavy debt that the new government will inherit, our relations with the world that need to be restored, and the vast work of internal unification”.
H.E. Dr. Abdirahman Irro extended an olive branch to the people of Sool and pledged to have issues concerned be addressed without pre-conditions.
He pointed out that top amongst his priorities is to revitalize the economy, zero-tolerance on corruption and public pilfers, harness local production, unite the populaces, bolster foreign relations and boost foreign investments opportunities in the country.
He called for concerted efforts from all quarters while believing that with collectiveness all hurdles and challenges would be overcome.
The President touched on all issues and challenges of concern and his hopeful ways and means of overcoming them.
Of note was the fact that he pointed out that he would make good his campaigns pledge of increments for the remunerations of the security arms of the state, across the different armed forces and fledge their capacity building to become an even better formidable institution.
While noting that freedom of expression and civic participation is imperative in nation building, he pledged to step up the participation of the marginalized people in policy making by empowering them.
Below is the whole speech in verbatim loosely translated:-
INAUGURATION SPEECH OF THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND
Asalaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
Praise is to God alone;
With great dignified appreciation, I respectfully salute President Muse Bihi Abdi who today, as is the custom, tradition and symbolic democracy etiquette of Somaliland, hands over the onerous task of the office of President to me.
I likewise greet the former President of this country, H.E. Dahir Rayaale Kahin, who has just traveled a long way to witness this important occasion.
I extend similar appreciation of acknowledgement to the outgoing Vice President, H.E. Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail (Sayli’i). So, too, do I salute the presence of the Speaker of the House of Senate (GUURTI) Hon. Suleiman Mohamud Adan and Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Yasin Haji Mohamud Hiir Faratoon, the CJ Hon. Adan Haji Ali the Chair of the Supreme Court of Somaliland, and the Chairmen of the Official National Political Parties of WADDANI, KAAH and KULMIYE.
I specially greet the President of the Somali Regional State of our brotherly country of Ethiopia, Mr. Mustafa Muhumad Agjar.
I salute the former Vice Presidents of the nation who are here with us, Mr. Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah and Mr. Ahmed Yusuf Yasin.
I greet the members of the both Houses of Parliament (Representatives and Guurti), the Local Councils, the National Electoral Commission, the officers and soldiers of the various National Forces, the civil servants, all the distinguished guests and in general the citizens of the Republic of Somaliland who are watching us live at home and abroad.
I welcome, congratulate, salute and thank all the delegations from other countries who have come to us, the ambassadors and diplomats who are attending this event representing their countries, the representatives of the international community and international organizations residing in Hargeisa.
It is a great honor for us that you are participating in this important event for the Republic of Somaliland that depicts to the world the fledgling and bolstering of our democratic processes that have the changes of guard through peaceful universal suffrage.
Your presence is a testament to your commitment to supporting us in the building of our state, and it strengthens our ties and the goodwill of our friendship that is growing day by day.
I thank you for the continued support that many of you have given to the democratic process in the Republic of Somaliland, and for the development and humanitarian assistance that you have provided to our country and our people.
We hope that you will continue to support our efforts to create a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Somaliland.
Brothers and sisters;
Today, we welcome a ‘new beginning in which we will build our country together, hand in hand’. We are opening a new page in the history of our nation. These are opportunities of days when unity, solidarity, peace and progress will guide the journey of our state in future, which would be based on good governance, justice, consultation, and the application of the law so that every citizen can enjoy his/her rights.
It is a journey that we will open our country to good tidings, God willing.
Brothers and sisters,
I feel the burden of the office I have assumed today; knowing that burden and responsibility I have assumed, and I am encouraged by the desire that our people have shown for a change in the political leadership of this nation, and with the goodwill that I know that the people would stand by me. I will therefore tirelessly fulfill the duties of the heavy burden that have been bestowed upon me and the tasks it dictates.
What I have been sworn to is to protect religion, country, and to serve my people well; I was not sworn cater for the interests of a particular party, I was not sworn to the interests of a particular group, I was not sworn to the interests of a clan or a section of society.
Brothers and sisters;
We cannot unite by the enclaves of geographical locations, but what solidifies us is the national commitment made by our brave and gallant in Burco (by re-asserting the nationhood of Somaliland), the National Charter of Borama, and the constitution voted for by the people of Somaliland in a national referendum.
Our constitution reflects our needs and aspirations. I will be guided by the principles it upholds, including good governance, justice, transparency, and national unity.
Every time we come together to inaugurate a new President or a new national assembly, we testify to the power of our constitution, we vividly depicts to the world our civilization, proving once again that we are a country that practices democracy and that we are a multi-party system. I, too, tell my people that I will abide by the constitution and laws of this country. I tell the world loudly that the democratic progress of this country cannot be hidden from the eyes anymore and that we duly deserve recognition without any qualms whatsoever.
Brothers and sisters
I am committed to accelerating recovery and development of our economy to improve the lives of citizens and reduce the poverty line. The new government would have zero tolerance on corruption and would combat against public pilfer to the hilt.
We will strengthen the free market; we will create policies and an administrative environment that encourages creativity and business creation, and attract foreign investment. I call on everyone who invests in Somaliland to be welcomed by the new government wherever they are in the world (Welcome to a rich country that is ready for investments).
We will devise and promote projects that increase job creation for our youth.
To achieve this, we will work with our national banks to facilitate loans, and finance small businesses.
Today, we are a country that imports everything from abroad, and my goal is to increase our production since our country is a rich country so that we can sell our various natural resources to world markets.
Brothers and sisters;
We will work to improve;- education; health care services, especially for mothers and children, the quality of medicine and food imported into the country, environmental protection and sanitation, and to ensure that citizens have access to clean water.
The problems caused by climate change in the environment, which have been evident in our country in recent years, threaten agricultural and livestock production, which are our backbone economy. We will cooperate with countries and international organizations to prepare for and withstand the problems caused by climate change.
We will strengthen justice within society, and we will give special priority to the role of women and marginalized people in society, and to give them a fair share in the political decision-making of the country.
We will work to enhance the knowledge and skills of the youth, who are the backbone of our society, so that they can participate in the development of the country and be prepared to play a leading role.
Brothers and sisters;
Unity and solidarity are the most important foundations for strengthening nationalism. Only through unity can we overcome the external and internal challenges facing our government, and accelerate the progress and development we aim for.
By upholding the values and principles of my nation, while respecting the laws of the country and international norms, I will seek a peaceful diplomatic solution to the conflicts that have erupted in the eastern regions of Somaliland and the borders.
I have a great responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the country and the region. Therefore, I am committed to building a national army capable of protecting our borders, and ensuring peace and stability for my country and my people.
We will provide the various forces with the training, development and knowledge they need, and we will raise their standard of living and care for them and their families. I will implement the salary increases I promised during my term.
Brothers and sisters; Citizens must be fairly represented in the political decision-making of the nation, which is essential for strengthening our unity as a nation and our state, and strengthening the peace and security of our nation.
I will stand for every citizen to have the power and rights allowed by law.
We will work to ensure that citizens have a voice and are given a legal opportunity to have their representatives have a say in politics and the future of the nation.
Brothers and sisters:
Patriotism does not necessarily mean that we should all be coerced to have the same views and perspective on all political issues; different ideas pooled together only strengthens the end resolutions and results in concerted efforts towards nation building thence in reaching and realizing the aspired goals by the government.
Respect for political freedoms and civil rights are central to both justice and democracy.
Our volition is that citizens can freely express their views, freely participate in political decision-making, and play a role in the development of their nation without departing from the framework of international law, the national constitution, and the applicable laws of the country.
Brothers and sisters:
My government is ready to pacify the eastern regions of Somaliland, to lay a foundation for peace without any conditions, and to resolve any disputes through dialogue to find a peaceful political solution, which will lead to peaceful coexistence, openness to people and trade, and the exchange of prisoners.
Brothers and sisters, what unites us is more than what divides us.
I appeal to the cultural and traditional leaders, members of the clergy, and scholars, as well as the international community, to play a positive role in our efforts to restore a spirit of brotherhood and coexistence in the regions of Sool Region.
Brothers:
We are a fledgling country that is struggling to gain recognition, so we will give special importance to foreign policy and international cooperation.
The Republic of Somaliland is a nation that, without sufficient assistance and support from the world, has succeeded in resiliently and painstakingly built a meaningful state and democracy.
We are striving to gain the world’s understanding of our history, and to recognize our nationhood based on a valid legal argument.
The new government of Somaliland is starting to work on restoring the cooperation of the international community, so that we can create a new Somaliland that plays a role in security and political stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region as a whole.
Brothers:
We acknowledge that the challenges before us are not small, we cannot underestimate our divisions that require us to reunite, we cannot minimize the severe recession that has befallen our economy, the existing security challenges, the heavy debt that the new government will inherit, our relations with the world that need to be restored, and the vast work of internal unification.
Resolving these problems requires time, perseverance, and strong decisions, and I am confident that we can accomplish much and overcome many difficulties when we join forces and the people play their honorable role.
My new government, which I will form in the coming days, will cooperate with our friends, and our international partners, to prevent these challenges from overwhelming us.
I call on my people to unite and join hands to pave the way for unity and brotherhood among the people of Somaliland to ensure the implementation of justice, equality, and development that our country aspires to.
Brothers;
Let us all forgive each other. Brothers, let us pray for our people who have served the country tirelessly, and for those who are still committed to serving it.
First and foremost are the various forces of the nation, the National Electoral Commission, government employees, businessmen, cultural leaders, scholars, entrepreneurs, poets, intellectuals, the media and anyone who has invested their time, energy, or money in achieving a successful and peaceful Republic of Somaliland.
Finally;
Speaking on your behalf, I would like to express my special gratitude to our fifth President of Somaliland, His Excellency Musa Bihi Abdi, and his Vice President, His Excellency Abdirahman Abdillaahi Ismail (Sayli’i), for their important role in the nation building and development of the Republic of Somaliland.
They will be national elders who will play a constructive role in the country’s governance, by the will of God.
To all of you, I humbly and respectfully request that we applaud and clap for them…
With your gratitude and a solemn farewell,
Thank you all!
May SOMALILAND WIN!
May SOMALILAND LIVE!
MAY GOD BLESS SOMALILAND.