Former Nigerian President leads international diplomatic envoy to Somaliland
International diplomatic envoy led by General Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian President yesterday, the 5th of May paid a two-day official visit to Somaliland on a fact finding mission regarding the recognition of the country by the United Nations.
According to report gathered by Parkchester Times East African correspondent, the fact finding visit was primarily made as part of effort to settle the dispute between Somalia and Somaliland and perhaps pave way to work toward actualising the recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation in the Horn of Africa.
In his welcoming remarks, President Muse Bihi Abdi said he was pleased to receive Obasanjo and his team, as their visit coincided with the 27th national celebration of the independence of the country. He further thanked them for making this historical visit despite their tight schedules.
According to an official at the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after consulting with the parliamentarians and the head of the judiciary, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had an extensive private discussion with the President Muse Bihi Abdi at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa, the capital city of the country.
‘I believe the extensive private meeting held at the Presidential palace by Olusegun Obasanjo and President Muse Bihi Abdi will yield a positive result for Somaliland. The country’s international recognition is long overdue,’ said the official at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
‘Somaliland has everything it takes to be recognised as an independent nation. It has her own sovereign government, security, and currency. And I can confidently say it is the most peaceful country in the entire East African region,’ said Umar Osabo, a Hargeisa-based Nigerian academician and media expert.
He further added that Somaliland is a hidden unexplored hub for entrepreneurs and international investors, as it is the only country in that sub-region that experiences 24 housr supply of electricity all year round with open market system.
‘It’s unfortunate most people, even within the continent, are not aware of this golden business hub. Somaliland has everything that smoothens business operations – there is constant uninterruptible power supply, strong security services, peaceful democratic transitions, free market system, and caring and accommodating people.
‘I just hope that the coming of my former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and his team will be a new productive beginning for the country – most especially with regards to her international recognition,’ added Umar.
Before leaving the country, the team also paid a visit to Berbera, a city where Somaliland has her seaport, though currently occupied and managed by UAE DP World based on mutual bilateral agreement signed a couple of years ago.