Somaliland Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Saad Shire
THE Republic of Somaliland is now rooting for recognition at the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) as a sovereign state, apparently in a bid to win legitimate rights as an independent state.
Among its diplomatic forays, the country
is now out to woo investors from Tanzania to go and invest in its
finance, agriculture, hospitality and industry sectors as well as in
marine services.
Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam
yesterday, Somaliland Minister for Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation, Dr Saad Shire, said the country has all “the credentials”
that a sovereign state is entitled to have.
“Somaliland has its own elected
government, an army, its own currency and a flag … we therefore deserve
recognition … we believe that we have a legal case, a humanitarian case
and, above all, a history now,” Dr Shire pointed out. He said initially
such traits had denied his country international recognition it
deserves, adding : “To the extent of denying us ‘basic rights’ such as
access to international credit, loans, aid and migration to other
countries.”
He further said: “Politics and
misconceptions are major issues that have hindered our country from
gaining its full recognition as a sovereign state in the past….. people
do not understand the full history between Somalia and Somaliland.”
Dr Shire hinted that their separation
from Somalia had occurred a very long time ago, therefore, it should not
hinder them from acquiring what was “rightfully theirs.”
“Somaliland is not at war with Somalia,
but if it happens, we are ready to defend our country at anytime … we
also believe that once we become a sovereign state, Somalia will also
benefit,” he argued.
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