By Moha Dahir Farah Jire
HARGEISA, Somaliland-President Dahir Rayaale of somaliland has called on the international community to have an in depth look at Somaliland and see the challenges the Horn of African nation had gone through since the independence days of Africa.
President Dahir Rayaale Kahin in an exclusive interview with SSI talked about the history of Somaliland and its political, he mentioned that the nation continued in its pursuit of independence by instilling democracy in a country torn from years of civil wars caused by an unfair union with Somalia. president Rayaale talked about the achievements of the Ururka dimuqraadiga ummadda bahawday (UDUB) party, the ruling party in Somaliland and mentioned that the party had been successful in conducting democratic elections, reclaimed stolen border towns of Somaliland half of Sanaag and Sool from the Puntland administration.
the president called Somaliland ‘the Best kept secret of African Diplomacy, a beacon of political stability in African’ but reminded the needs to develop courageous politicians to continue on the progress already made.
On the new year President Dahir Rayaale said: “ no mater which part of the continent they are from I pray and wish good luck to all of the friends and the neighboring countries of Somaliland in the new year”
President Dahir Rayaale will run for the upcoming presidential election which will take place before May of 2009 and in this regard said: “I expect to win in the upcoming elections to do more in the development projects which I couldn’t finish in my first term at the presidency but if I do not get elected I am not even ready to create problems and stick in my position I am more willing to make real the path of democracy which is taking place of Somaliland and will be the (Elder)of Somaliland and respect the voice of the people and show the people of Somaliland what I have done for the country and the people through the campaign process”.
The president called the international community and those who have concerns for Somalia to search at the root problems of Somalia and start from the 1960s. President Dahir Rayaale said that the AU should allow Somaliland and Somalia to share seats in the AU or dismiss both nations and allow them to talk and discuss the solution of the failed unity of Somalia.