Somaliland Diasporas charged to facilitate country’s quest for international recognition

Somalianders in the diaspora have been urged to help the country realize its dream of attaining international recognition in the committee of nations. The call came during a series of Panel discussion at the 5th annual Somaliland diaspora conference.

The annual conference with the theme “mobilizing Somaliland diaspora for national development” attracted a large audience from all walks of life.
At the day 2 of the conference, the keynote speaker, Cawaale Shirwac, dwelt extensively on the challenges Somaliland faces as an unrecognized country saying there was no better time to intensify efforts at achieving the set goal than now.

The economic development researcher identified the roles diaspora must play to help the country speed up the process.

The panelists drawn from politics, technocrats, academia, and government stewards brought to fore virulent criteria for Somaliland to achieve the feat.

The panel charged diaspora to always identify with Somaliland and NOT Somalia adding this will register the name in the mind of many until it gets to appropriate quarters for validation.
It said they must promote political and strategic efforts in lobbying for the Somaliland nation state.

A panelist, emphasized it was pertinent that educated as well as influential Somalianders rub shoulders with international communities at ensuring recognition. She said Diasporas must join forces for the greater course of Somaliland at all cost adding there was need for concerted efforts and unflinching commitment to the dream of the country.

Dahabshiil, the main sponsor of the event, justified the reasons for keying into the transformational program, stressing that its brand plays a vital role in facilitating cash transfer and bridging the gap between diaspora and Somaliland.

Many attendees notably returnees praised the Ministry of foreign Affairs and international cooperation for the event. The highpoint of the conference was the Somaliland cultural dance.