The EU special rep praises the President for pragmatic leadership laden with wisdom in a volatile region
By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro today received at the Presidential Palace a high-level delegation led by the European Union (EU) Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, Ambassador Annette Weber.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation and collaboration between the Republic of Somaliland and the European Union (EU).
According to a press release from the Presidency, the Head of State thanked the Special Representative and her delegation for their historic visit to Somaliland. In addition, the President expressed his appreciation for the support and development assistance provided by the European Union to Somaliland, particularly in the areas of governance and institutional building, infrastructure, education, water, food security, strengthening democracy, environment and climate change.
During the meeting, the President assured the EU of the unwavering commitment of the Somaliland government to maintaining peace, stability and democratic order in the Horn of Africa region.
The President told the EU Representative that his government gives top priority to strengthening peaceful coexistence among all Somaliland people.
He highlighting the significant achievements of the new administration during its short term in office; such as the extension of an unconditional peace agreement in the Eastern Sool region, the cessation of hostilities in the Sanaag region and the nationalization of over 6,000 civilian forces and their weaponry and armoured vehicles through tasks and efforts that Somaliland did herself without receiving any foreign assistance.
On the other hand, the President clearly indicated the security and strategic role of the Republic of Somaliland in ensuring the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, given the country’s coastline of more than 800 km along the said waterway, which makes it necessary that a blind eye should not be turned to Somaliland.
For her part, the Ms. Annette Weber, thanked the President for the warm welcome she received during her historic visit to Somaliland. She praised the him for his pragmatic leadership that is laden with wisdom, given that Somaliland is located in a region characterized by conflict and instability.
On the other hand, the EU Representative commended Somaliland for the peace, stability and mature democratic process in Somaliland, expressing the EU’s readiness to engage with Somaliland, exploring ways to strengthen cooperation between the two sides, in order to achieve shared and sustainable goals.
In conclusion, both sides recognized the need to further strengthen genuine cooperation between the two sides and a shared vision for sustainable peace and inclusive development in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.