Somalia: Somaliland in gear for Independence Day

HARGEISA, Somaliland-On the streets in the capital, Hargeisa, people are in festive mood, hoping to have a different self-declared Independence Day this year, Garowe Online reports. 

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo whose term in office will end in early 2017 has formed a ministerial committee that would organize colorful events marking 25 years of Independence.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as a de facto sovereign State in 1991, but it has not been recognized internationally yet. 

Organizers held a news conference in Hargeisa, saying this year’s celebration will be different from others in the past 24 years. 

Most shows would include recognition-seeking rallies, street marches and events featuring Somaliland’s successes in democracy and economy, the committee said on Wednesday. 

Somaliland Finance Minister Samsam Abdi Adan called on Somaliland natives at home and abroad to demonstrate mass participation in celebrations. 

Adan is working alongside Justice and Information Ministers.  

The government said, Somaliland citizens will be petitioning to the world for recognition amid talks with UN-backed national government.

 Turkey brokered rounds of dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, with deals to ease political differences being signed. 

Stuck in months of intra and inter-party wrangles over parliamentary and presidential elections, Somaliland is slated for tough poll at the beginning of 2017. On May 18, Somaliland people mark self-declared Independence Day every year.

GAROWEONLINE