CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS
4.1. Introductions
This chapter addresses the outcome of the three-research participant’s one-to-one interviews. In each case, they are still actively involved in the quest for recognition of Somaliland’s status as an independent and sovereign nation. The researcher embarked on these interviews with the full consent of the subjects, mindful of the fact that their names and contributions to this research would be published in full. Interview subjects were also informed that they would be able to withdraw from the interviews at any point should they wish to do so and that they could withdraw consent for their data to be used up to one month following completion of the interviews.
The data recorded will be transcribed and stored in an encrypted file. The text will be examined for both relevance and bias, while the participant’s knowledge of events and the extent of their insights into the issue of Somaliland sovereignty determined through an analysis of their responses. The principal ideas and points will be noted in each case and relevant details assembled and compiled. The author will also take note of the degree of interaction between himself and the interviewee during the course of the interviews and whether this had any possible bearing on interviewees’ responses. There is always the possibility that the researcher may interact or engage with the interviewee in a manner that could alter or skew the participant’s answers, and those cultural influences or local customs could elicit a response that the interviewer might be unaware of.
Given the importance of the role played by the interviewees in the drive for international recognition of statehood, the researcher has set out below a brief description of the profession, role and capacity of each and the extent to which they contributed to the research per se… The chapter will then discuss and analyze the findings with sub-sections devoted to the principal points and issues arising from the interviews. The researcher was also careful to ensure that the interview text was not only recorded but also transcribed accurately and that no sections were omitted or altered.
4.2 The participant’s background
4.2.1 Dr Sa’ad Ali Shire is an economist and agronomist by training, and between 2015 and 2018 was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Somaliland. He had previously also been the Minister of Economic Planning, and has been associated with a number of different institutions, including the University of Hargeisa, the University of Burao, the Somaliland UK Society, the Somaliland Economic Association, and the Somaliland Society of Agriculture. His current position is Minister of Finance. Shire’s tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was extensive and he was heavily involved in guiding foreign policy with a view to securing international recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland, As such, he was uniquely qualified to discuss the relevant issues and changes in the diplomatic landscape with respect to Somaliland’s efforts to secure international recognition.
4.2.2 Rt. Hon. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro is the founder and chairperson of the Waddani Somaliland National Party, the main opposition party in Somaliland. He is a former Somaliland House of Parliament Representative Speaker and current Member of Parliament, former Somalia Acting Ambassador to the Soviet Union, as well as the former co-founder of the UCID Party in Somaliland. With an extensive knowledge of international foreign affairs, Mr Irro is extensively involved in advocating on behalf of the country and in Somaliland’s international and foreign policy, steered by the goal of securing international recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland.
4.2.3 Mohamed Ahmed Mohamoud (Barawani) is the former Executive Director of Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF). He is currently studying for a Ph.D. entitled State Democracy, Clan and Islam at the United Nations University, Costa Rica. A representative of the voices of ordinary Somalilanders, his views, knowledge, and understanding of the day-to-day issues faced by the general populace is the best and supported by the necessary theoretical substrate afforded by his academic work.
4.2.4 Rt. Hon. Stephen Doughty is a British Labour Party, Member of Parliament since 2012 for Cardiff South and Penarth, and Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Somaliland (APPG). Stephen is also a great advocate of Somaliland’s quest for recognition and visited Somaliland with other Members of Parliament.
