Somaliland SNUBS UK prime-minister Cameron

[KingMJ]

Somaliland Snubs Cameron’s ‘Major’ Conference on Somalia

The Somaliland government is not going to attend a ‘major’ conference on Somalia which the British Prime Minister David Cameron had announced his country will hold next year in London.

The Somaliland foreign minister, Dr. Mohammed Abdillahi Omar told the Somali Language Daily, Geeska Afrika, “Contrary to some media reports that the delegation led by the president who recently visited England had agreed to attend and participate in the conference on Somalia announced by the British Prime Minister David Cameron, I say these reports are completely and utterly untrue. The delegation led by the president have made it categorically clear that we are not going to attend that conference since it concerns exclusively to Somalia’s internal affairs. Our position is very clear; Somaliland is not going to attend that conference,”

In the meantime, the minister said he hoped the British government would continue its efforts to find a solution to the Somali problem and that they [Somaliland] are prepared in co-operation with other members of the world community to equally seek a comprehensive solution for the Somalia conflict”
“We believe that Somaliland has vested interest in finding a lasting solution to the Somalia conflict because of its spill over effects for other regional countries”.” Dr. Omar added.
The minister said that during their stay in the UK, the Somaliland delegation have had meetings with senior officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding the bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the question of Somaliland’s recognition.

The minister said that they had already informed the British government of their intention not to attend the proposed conference, which has nothing whatsoever to do with Somaliland.

http://hornnewspaper.com/2011/12/somali ... n-somalia/

[KingMJ]

[KingMJ]

It's good to see the government stick to their guns and hold onto there approach of not going to any meeting which are under the banner of "Somalia"
Although some might say this conference could have been used as a way to talk to Britain about the advancements Somaliland has made, but the negatives outweigh the positives. So this probably is the best approach.

What do you guys think? Should Somaliland have went to the conference? Or was it a great idea to reject it?

[Saraxnow]

Correct me if Im' wrong, but I had thought this government has changed it's approach and became more open to the idea of participating in International meetings concerning Somalia? He even said

the minister said he hoped the British government would continue its efforts to find a solution to the Somali problem and that they [Somaliland] are prepared in co-operation with other members of the world community to equally seek a comprehensive solution for the Somalia conflict

Also they already met with the Uk officials when they stayed but perhaps it still would have been an opportunity to engage with the other countries that were going to be there

[KingMJ]

But technically this is all the conference is about:

Britain to host conference on Somalia next year
LONDON | Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:21am GMT

(Reuters) - Britain will host an international conference next year on tackling instability in Somalia and protecting ships from pirates in the Gulf of Aden, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday.

The prime minister described the east African nation as a "failed state that directly threatens British interests," citing attacks on tourists and aid workers, and radicalisation of young Britons by militant Islamist groups with roots in the region.

Cameron announced last month that British merchant ships sailing off the coast of Somalia would be able to carry armed guards to ward off pirate attacks, bringing it into line with many other countries.
"Somali pirates aren't invincible: they are violent and lawless men in small boats and it is time we properly stood up to them," Cameron said in a speech at a banquet to honour the new Mayor of the City of London.
"But there is a real and pressing need to pull together the international effort," Cameron said in the speech, traditionally a forum for setting out foreign policy priorities. "That is why Britain will host a major conference in London next year."
Cameron has been strengthened by a foreign policy success after Britain and France took the lead in international military efforts to support Libyans who rose up and eventually overthrew Muammar Gaddafi, in power for four decades.

The Somali conference was to "focus attention on protecting merchant ships passing through the Gulf of Aden, tackling pirates, pressurising the extremists, supporting countries in the region and addressing the causes of conflict and instability in Somalia."
The date of the conference was not announced.

Somalia was formed in 1960 from a former British protectorate and an Italian colony. It descended into chaos after the 1991 fall of dictator Mohammed Siad Barre. The government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed holds sway in the capital Mogadishu, but al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels control much of the rest of the country.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/11/1 ... HK20111115

So the conference is just about

1. A failed state that disrupts Britain
2. Pirates causing issue to trade routes
3. Dangerous extremists
4. Killing of aid workings
5. Radicalised youth who may join al shabaab

Nothing to do with us. The only part that maybe of benefit is:

Supporting countries in the region and addressing the causes of conflict and instability in Somalia.

But 95% of it has nothing to do with us, so there is very little benefit to our own interests in this conference.

[Saraxnow]

^ True. I knew Britian was only concerned about it's trades and the pirates.


But some of those things like dangerous extremists and the youth affect Sl. Remember the bombings in Hargeisa?

[KingMJ]

^ Yes thats true but since around 90% is just about Somalia and its issues how would be twist this into about Somaliland?

[Saraxnow]

^ Well Sl is going to present it's ideas and solutions it thinks should be done for Somalia etc since a stable Somalia is good for Sl. But before that it would explain itself as being an autonomous independent region, showcase it's efforts in fighting extremism and piracy and how that it is struggling in a hostile region with the few resources it has etc. Then it's possible that these countries then will see Sl as the best partner in tackling these issues since they border Somalia and have a good track record in fighting piracy, stability and commitment to its principles


Damn waa ineey iraaciyaan wufuuda Sl taageeraysa in the conference

[Salah Al-Din]

Somaliland's government has taken the position that they will take part in conferences that discusses the solutions for Somalia that has an international component. This means when Britain, USA, AU, EU are present to discuss the way forward Somaliland will be present their case for sovereignty and their solutions for a lasting peace in Somalia. Nevertheless, any conference that is about creating a government for Somalia so the warring factions can be reconciled Somaliland will not attend as they are not part of the problem and are not part of Somalia.