By M.A. Egge
The Minister of Trade and Tourism, Hon. Abdirahman Hassan Nour, together with the Deputy Ambassador of France based in Nairobi, Mr. Romain Joly, announced the commencement of the large-scale project on archeological preservation and development at a ceremony held in Hargeisa. The initiative is earmarked to cost of two million US dollars.
The project will be tailored to helping Somaliland turn its heritage sites into sustainable economic opportunities, especially through tourism, such that they can generate income for their continued development and preservation.
It also aims to strengthen the capacity and expertise of institutions responsible for heritage and culture, and to protect historical sites, including Laas Geel.
France is channeling the funding through its international development agency, AFD (Agence Française de Développement). The project will be jointly implemented by Expertise France and the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of the Republic of Somaliland.
In attendance were the Presidential Advisor on Strategy, Hon. Kamal Marjaan, and the a large delegation of French officials. Among them were the Director of AFD for East Africa, Ms. Aïssatou Kumagangue; the French Trade Representative to Somaliland, Mr. Mohamed Saxardiid; Prof. Xavier Gutherz—the scholar who first introduced the world to the Laas Geel heritage site in 2002; and many officials from departments concerned with development, heritage and culture preservation, tourism, and ancient archaeology.
Somaliland is home to numerous sites of global historical and cultural significance, including ancient archaeological remains dating back thousands of years and historic cities.
Since 2002, the French government has supported Somaliland through programs aimed at introducing its ancient heritage, remnants of inhabitations centuries ago, to the world.
The Deputy Ambassador expressed gratitude for the warm reception and strong cooperation extended by the Government of the Republic of Somaliland toward the implementation of this development project. In turn, the Minister thanked the Government of France for the initiative, expressing hope that it will serve as a gateway to a lasting partnership between the two countries; one through which Somaliland can benefit from France’s expertise and experience in managing and developing heritage and archaeological assets, and in promoting them globally to create sustainable sources of income.