-He lauds the concerted efforts exerted in extinguishing Daallo mountains fires that threatened frankincense and myrrh
-Reveals constituting of a task-force to delve into Agabar land skirmishes, condoles bereaved families of duo killed
By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has described his visit to Qatar as a new page of a new chapter in the country’s foreign affairs that has opened a new diplomatic door that was shut for the past three-decades plus, as he briefed the members of the cabinet on the visit.
He lauded the efforts of the residents of Sanaag region and the fire-fighting department for their efforts in combating the forest fires that had swept the Daallo mountains over the week razing down sizable amounts of frankincense and myrrh trees that have been thriving in the area for centuries.
Apart from the valuable produce razed, the blaze also affected some villages.
The President noted that there were no lives lost in the fires and that the government will immediately dispatch relief aid to the affected farmers residing in the areas concerned
The Head of State likewise has likewise revealed that he has constituted a task-force to delve into the issues that caused the land issues skirmishes that has resulted in two fatalities at Agabar in Gabiley region on Wednesday.
He sent his personal condolences and, on behalf of the nation, to the believed members of the families concerned, and to Somalilanders as a whole.
He called for restraint on the part of the belligerents while pointing out that he was confident that the task-force would address the bones of contention diligently to a close.
President Abdirahman Irro expressed his sentiments as he chaired the 25th Session of the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, a day after jetting back from the first ever sitting president of the country’s official visit to Qatar.
The President, who was flanked by his deputy, the VP H.E. Mohamed Ali aw Abdi briefed the council of the ministers about his visit in general, and in particular, he underpinned its importance in strengthening diplomatic, security, economic relations and development cooperation between Somaliland and Qatar.
The President informed the Cabinet that during their working trip to Qatar, he and his delegation participated in at least nine high profile fruitful meetings.
The President also said that his delegation also held special meetings with the Somaliland community in Qatar who included businessmen, academics, intellectuals and youth leaders.
The President made it clear that his week-long official trip to Qatar is part and parcel of the strategic policies embedded in his administration, dubbed “Togetherness and Action”, that focuses, on fledging diplomatic sector, bolstering economic development, and also widening the scope of Somaliland scope of influence in the Gulf region.
He said that apart from the crucial meeting he had with the Qatari Premier who is also the country’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdirahman Althaani, he also met the influential State minister for foreign affairs Dr. Mohamed bin Abdiaziz Alkhulayfi, and that of the external commerce ministry Dr, Ahmed Al Sayid, security affairs officials and those of the Qatarese Development fund and Qatar Charity amongst others.
The president pointed out that the Qatarese government has welcomed the Somaliland government by showing their intent in initiating a sound diplomatic relationship with the country based on mutual respect and cooperation.
He added that his hosts expressed interests in the investment opportunities in Somaliland especially in the areas of infrastructural development, energy, agricultural, livestock and mineral sectors.
He said that major focus was also shed on security cooperation in bolstering the security situation in the Horn region as concerns combatting and/or forestalling terrorism, human trafficking, piracy and associated threats prevalent in the region.
The establishing of direct cooperation on the security sector between the two countries was high on the table, according to the President.
Other areas of relations focused on cooperation on religious, social and cultural sectors, with the aim of initiating support for the less fortunate Muslims in the country.
President Abdirahman Irro informed the ministers that the Qatarese trip opened one of the doors that was closed for over three decades, he disclosed that technical papers to cement the agreements would be initiated and set the ball rolling for a new partnership based on trust and brethren-ship that is deemed to take the cooperation of the two nations to higher and greater lengths. cooperation said that, from all perspectives, the Qatar trip was a success and a positive development for our nation, which further strengthens the position and status of Somaliland on the security and strategic agenda of the region.
The cabinet session heard usual briefs on their weekly agendas from the ministries of interior, finance, education, environment, and livestock development, with plans of exporting the livestock to the country of Oman.
While respective ministers gave their reports, it is worth noting that the education minister dwelt on the just finished annual national schools’ examination exercises.
The environmental minister Hon. Abdillahi Osman Geljire spoke at length on the Daallo mountains fires, its extent, how it was dealt with and extinguished, lessons learned and the most appropriate way to prepare for future fire disasters.
On his part, the Minister of Investment and Industrial Development Hon. Said Mohamed Burale, briefed the cabinet on the security situation of Badan and highlighted the steps that need to be taken by the Government.