By Goth Mohamed Goth
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro today welcomed a high-level delegation led by the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, Ambassador Annette Weber, at the Presidential Palace.
This meeting focused on strengthening cooperation and partnership between the Republic of Somaliland and the European Union (EU).
Firstly, the President of the Republic of Somaliland thanked the Special Representative and her delegation for their historic visit to Somaliland. Similarly, the President expressed gratitude for the development support and assistance provided by the European Union to Somaliland, particularly in the areas of Governance and State Institution Building, economic sectors, education, water, food security, strengthening democratic processes, the Environment, and Climate Change.
During the meeting, President Bihi assured EU Special Representative Annette Weber of the unwavering commitment of the Somaliland government to maintaining peace, stability, and the democratic system in the Horn of Africa region.
The President informed the EU representative that his government prioritizes strengthening peace and peaceful coexistence among all the people of Somaliland. He highlighted the tangible achievements his new government has made during its short time in office, such as the unconditional expansion of the peace zone in the eastern Sool region, the resolution of conflicts in the Sanaag region, and the demobilization of over 6,000 militia members along with their weapons and vehicles – a task accomplished without external assistance to Somaliland.
Furthermore, the President clearly outlined the crucial security and strategic role the Republic of Somaliland plays in safeguarding the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. He emphasized that Somaliland is a country bordering this maritime zone with a coastline exceeding 800 km, making its role indispensable and impossible to overlook.
For her part, the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, Ambassador Annette Weber, thanked the President of the Republic of Somaliland for the warm reception and his significant time during her historic visit to Somaliland. She commended President Bihi for his statesmanship and wise leadership, noting that Somaliland stands out as a beacon of stability in a region otherwise marked by conflict and instability.
