Somaliland President Meets with High-level Delegation of Six EU, UK Ambassadors

The president of Somaliland Musa Bihi Abdi on Tuesday received a high-level EU and UK delegation that arrived in Hargeisa, on today, April 2nd, 2019.

The high-level EU and UK delegation consisted of six ambassadors from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the EU envoy paid an official working visit to Somaliland.

Somaliland Foreign Minister, Mr. Mohamud Faraton told the local press that they discussed with the delegation on ways to enhance Somaliland ties with the nations in the European Union, the United Kingdom and also the Horn of Africa region.

The Foreign Minister said that the two sides talked about ways to exchange views on how to develop common issues ranging from political, trade and security.

Danish ambassador, Ms. Mette Knudsen has told the media that the delegation held fruitful discussions with the president of Somaliland H.E. Muse Bihi Abdi. She said that the delegation raised with the president to observe the integrity of Somaliland in the eyes of the world concerning the polls and the thriving democracy.

Somaliland President has assured them that free and fair parliament and local councils polls will be held.

Ms. Mette also stated that the delegation have discussed with president Musa on humanitarian relief to drought-hit communities in the eastern regions and the projects aimed at developing Somaliland.

The delegation also briefed the press about funds that the EU, Sweden and UK are donating to the projects to anticipate, prevent and address the impact of droughts.

EU, Sweden and UK are investing more than €19 million to address urgent needs and to reduce the vulnerability of Somaliland communities severely impacted by recurring droughts. More than 58,000 households from 16 districts across 5 regions of Somaliland will benefit from the initiatives. Projects will contribute to empowering the communities to identify and implement their own development and contingency plans, to boost their economy by increasing the productivity of existing livelihoods and by diversifying their sources of income. It will also improve their access to water and health.

Ongoing interventions implemented by 12 local and international NGOs regrouped under 3 consortia (BRICS, SOMREP and CRISP) are:

Building the ability of communities and institutions to better manage climate shocks
Protecting, strengthening and diversifying livelihoods
Enhancing the management of strategic natural resources : rangeland and water
Source: EU Press Release

The delegation consisted of the following dignitaries: