Republic of Somaliland President H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro has pledged that his government will immediately implement all recommendations from the National Conference on Finding Solutions to Road Traffic Accidents, describing the growing number of road crashes as “a national crisis that threatens lives, the economy, and the future of our youth.”
Speaking at the opening of the high-level conference organized by the Ministry of Transport and Road Development, President Irro commended the ministry’s leadership, staff, and traffic police for their tireless efforts to ensure road safety. He also expressed gratitude to local stakeholders and international partners who supported the event.
“Road traffic accidents have become a national problem that demands unified thinking, a comprehensive national strategy, strict enforcement of laws, and real political will,” the President declared. “Saving the lives of our citizens is a sacred national duty and our highest priority.”
He assured participants that every decision and recommendation emerging from the two-day conference will be transformed into an actionable National Road Safety Plan without delay.
In a separate and emotionally charged address, President Irro issued an urgent humanitarian appeal for immediate assistance to communities devastated by severe drought now affecting every region of Somaliland.
This is a distress call to all government institutions, friends of Somaliland, UN agencies, international and local organizations, civil society, the Somaliland business community, and our diaspora, he said. Our people are suffering. We cannot wait.
The President announced that the government has already allocated US$1,000,000 (one million U.S. dollars) as initial drought relief funding and urged all capable individuals and entities, both at home and abroad, to respond with generosity and speed.
The twin messages – decisive action on road safety and an urgent call for drought relief – underscore the mounting challenges facing the Republic of Somaliland as it grapples with both man-made and climate-related crises.