The House of Commons on Tuesday held an hour-long adjournment debate during which lawmakers deliberated on Somaliland’s clamour for self-determination.
While commenting on the debate which did not necessitate a vote but an opportunity for lawmakers to ventilate on the matter, UK Minister for Africa, Latin America and Caribbean said the discourse was consistent with the UK’s position on Somaliland.
Vicky Ford, who was on her second day of a tour in Kenya, however insisted that both Somaliland and Somalia must “decide their future.”
“We continue to cooperate with Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland on democracy, security and prosperity,” she said.
The debate came against the backdrop of sustained efforts by Somaliland to earn international recognition with President Muse Bihi Abdi embarking on a two-day visit to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Somaliland welcomed the debate with one the its senior diplomats saying the country deserves to be recognized due to its commitment to democracy.
“Our country deserves to be recognized as all our governments from 1991 – 2022 use democracy to keep our people together,” Somaliland’s envoy in Taiwan, Mohamed Hagi, remarked.
Speaking during his visit in Ethiopia, President Abdi asked the UK government to “listen” and grant Somalilanders their “rightful ambition.”
Somaliland has been seeking to forge strong relations with nations in the region including Kenya which created a Liaison Office in September 2021 and deployed four officers to Hargeisa.
President Abdi made a visit to Kenya in December 2020 when he held talks with President Kenyatta prompting a protest by Somalia, a fierce opponent of Somaliland’s quest to be recognized as an independent State.
Watch the full debate below