The Somaliland Foreign minister, Mr Abdillahi Mohamed Duale, flew out of Hargeysa Egal International airport on Wednesday morning to take part in a three-day international conference on the “State of Sovereignty” organized by the International Boundaries Research Unit (IBRU) of Durham University. The conference is celebrating the 20th anniversary of boundary studies at IBRU, which is taking place from 1-3 April 2009 in Durham, UK.
Speaking to the media in the VIP lounge of Egal International airport, the foreign minister told local reporters that Somaliland has been invited to address the three-day celebration anniversary of the “State of Sovereignty” conference which is being held at the historical city of Durham in the UK.
“We are extremely pleased and honoured to be attending the 20th anniversary of IBRU’s ‘State of Sovereignty’ conference and I will be presenting a paper outlining the historical basis of Somaliland’s 1991 declaration of its independence and sovereignty. As well as, discussing Somaliland’s road to peace, reconciliation and building the country’s democratic aspirations to becoming a multi-party society,” said Somaliland’s foreign minister, Mr Abdillahi M Duale.
The minister was asked by local reporters, “What he will achieve by attending to this conference in Durham, and if it was necessary to waste, tens and thousands of dollars, on a conference, when the country is cash strapped and suffering from a harsh drought?”
The minister replied, “Firstly, the conference organisers are paying for all the expenses right up to our return back to Hargeysa. And secondly, Over 30 governments, 11 foreign of affairs’ departments and their agencies, including the US State Department, UK Foreign Office and 92 world acclaimed academic institutions and international organizations, the likes of UN, EU and the European court of Justice will all be participating in the conference.
On the contrary, this is indeed a window of opportunity for Somaliland to get its message across to so many countries and international organisations in one single presentation. Somaliland will make new friends who will gladly support our cause. Surely this is what we have been working for,” said Duale.
Travelling with the foreign minister is the Executive Secretary of Somaliland’s ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf M Ahmed.
Source: SomalilandPress
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