Early Day Motion - SOMALILAND

Early Day Motion - SOMALILAND
21.02.2007
Michael, Alun
That this House congratulates Somaliland on 16 years of democratic development which has included local government elections, parliamentary elections and presidential elections, including a close-fought election in which the narrowly-defeated presidential candidate accepted the result `because we are a democracy'; considers this to be a model example of successful democracy in one small corner of Africa; calls on the international community not to overlook the thriving democracy of Somaliland in its understandable enthusiasm to see peace and an effective administration in the South; believes that it is for Somalis to decide their own future and that the international community must not ride roughshod over Somaliland in search of a tidy solution; welcomes the demonstration on 22nd February 2007 as a way of celebrating democratic success; further welcomes the solidarity and loyalty of the Somaliland community in the UK to their homeland; further welcomes the interest and engagement of successive UK Ministers in the emerging democracy of Somaliland; considers this to be right and fair given the contribution of Somalilanders to the UK's economy and defence in three centuries, two world wars and numerous other conflicts; and applauds the patience with which Somaliland, while working hard at its own capacity for self determination and democratic development, has awaited peace in the South so that Somalis can sit down and work out their future together.

British Parliament Debate about Somaliland on 26th February 2007

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often (a) she and (b) her officials are in contact with the Somaliland authorities. [120799]26 Feb 2007 : Column 1140W
Margaret Beckett (Secretary of State): I have not met any representatives of the Somaliland authorities. However, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, has met Mr. Dahir Rayale, the ‘President' of the Somaliland authorities on several occasions, most recently in August 2006. Officials, including our ambassador in Addis Ababa, are also in regular contact with representatives of the Somaliland authorities.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when (a) she and (b) her officials last met her counterpart in Somaliland. [120800]
Margaret Beckett: I have not met any representatives of the Somaliland authorities. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, last met Mr. Abdillahi Duale, the ‘Foreign Minister' of the Somaliland authorities, on 26 January in the margins of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Our ambassador in Addis Ababa and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Africa Director also met with Mr. Abdillahi Duale in Addis Ababa on 9 February.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the discussions on Somaliland at the recent African Union summit in Addis Ababa. [120801]
Margaret Beckett: The UK attended the recent African Union summit as an observer and did not have any formal status or participate in the discussions. We understand that the question of Somaliland was raised at Foreign Minister level but that there was little detailed discussion.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which (a) Minister and (b) official represented the UK at the recent African Union summit in Addis Ababa which discussed Somaliland; in what discussions on Somalia the Minister or official took part; and what the outcome was of these discussions. [120802]
Margaret Beckett: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and our ambassador in Addis Ababa, who is our Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU), attended the recent AU summit in Addis Ababa as observers. Lord Triesman had meetings in the margins of the summit with President Yusuf of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia, during which Somalia was discussed. They agreed there was currently a window of opportunity for Somalia which should be maximised through pursuing an inclusive political dialogue, the early deployment of the AU Mission to Somalia and increased assistance for reconstruction. Lord Triesman also met Mr. Abdillahi Duale, ‘Foreign Minister' of the Somaliland authorities, to discuss the situation in Somalia and areas of co-operation with the UK.26 Feb 2007 : Column 1141W
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the state of democracy in Somaliland; and if she will make a statement. [120803]
Margaret Beckett: We welcome the progress that has been made in Somaliland towards stability and democracy. The elections last year were another positive step forward in the democratisation process. We continue to support the development of democratic institutions in Somaliland

source: British Parliament website.