The Somaliland Diaspora Agency (SLDA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Republic of Somaliland sends congratulations to the Somaliland Community in France and highly appreciates the memorial of the WW I & II Combatants of Somaliland origin celebrated in Paris on the Friday, Oct 25, 2019.
The Diaspora Agency issued this Press Statement in relation to this occasion signed by the Chairman of Somaliland Diaspora Agency, Mr. Abdi Abdullahi Hersi (Dayaxweerar).
“On behalf of my name, SLDA Team, and name of the Somaliland Diaspora worldwide, I am so happy to express my earnest gratitude and appreciation to the Somaliland Community in France, the role and the efforts made by Battalion Somalis, Association Somailandais De France (ASLF) , the dedicated activists, as well as our gifted French Friends of Somaliland for working on this momentous historic occasion for commemorating the Somaliland national combatants who fought for France in the 1st and 2nd World Wars. I am also thankful to the French Government for their consideration of this reality for the first time in history.
Some thousands of young Somalilanders valiantly fought for France in the First World War whose majority lost their lives, and more other numbers participated in the Second World War in favor of the French liberation as well. Only about four hundred men returned alive out of more than two thousand young men the history recounts and whose bodies are currently buried at Normandy after courageously fighting beside French Troops against the Nazis according to records.”
“France is one of the important destination countries in which Somaliland has settled Diaspora population estimated over 15,000 in the major cities and towns, and who has well-integrated and remained resourceful for both countries.”
Abdi Abdullahi Hersi (Dayah-weerar)
Chairman of Somaliland Diaspora Agency
Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation
Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland
Saturday, Oct 27 2019
