Weeklong Kenyan visit availed bigger platform to address the world
By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has said that the International Community has appreciated the pacification process of Somaliland and the successful prevalent vibrant democracy in the country.
He came back with a message of more and better hope for the country’s aspirations of becoming a de-jure state as the Nairobi trip availed a bigger platform to address the global community.
The Head of State made the remarks as he and the delegation he led on a weeklong trip to Kenya, returned to the country on Tuesday.
They were welcomed at the Egal International Airport by the Vice President H.E. Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, several cabinet ministers, service commanders and other senior state officials.
Upon their return to the country, the President and his delegation were welcomed at the Presidential Palace by the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, MPs, ministers, traditional leaders, members of the business community, women reps and other dignitaries.
The President addressed the gathering and noted that he was quite content with the results of the trip he had in Nairobi.
It is worth noting that as he addressed the global world his words resonated far and wide when he unequivocally underscored the fact that Somaliland was not carrying a bowl to beg for alms from the IC but rather sought cooperative partnership for mutual development and as an equal among the nations.
He described as fruitful meetings he had with his Kenyan counterpart President William Kipchirchir Samoei arap Ruto, renowned impactful leader and ardent Somaliland supporter Raila Amolo Odinga, members of International Community and UN agencies.
He said that the trip to Nairobi, where they were guests of the President of Kenya, was a great historical success, which raised the status of the nation of Somaliland, and availed a platform to showcase the development, governance and democracy that Somaliland has achieved to the rest of the world.
The President once again thanked Somalilanders as a whole for having voted him in as a head of state and pledged that he was confident that the country will realize its aspirations.
He urged the populaces to foster unity, solidarity and peaceful stability such that the dreams of the people and the nation of Somaliland as concerns its aspirations may be achieved.
The President elaborated on the fact that the country’s adherence to democracy and the latest presidential elections has been hailed widely across the globe.
He further emphasized that the equally latest pacification in the eastern parts of the country and absorption of the local tribal and community militias into the mainstream national armed forces has been highly appreciated across the world and Africa in particular.
He said that the military censor and biometric registration of the servicemen has similarly been admired and lauded.
The President was quick to point out that though the achieved feats were monumental, ‘much work was still in store for the country to be yet realized and done’.
He said that it was only through unity, solidarity and togetherness that is bonded with peaceful stability that much can be achieved.
He hailed the opening of the new large premises that now houses the nation’s representative office in Nairobi.
The major Kenyan and international media outlets highlighted President Abdirahman Irro’s Nairobi visit like never before, especially at a time Kenya had national celebrations of its own.
The President revealed that he would soon visit Ethiopia.