Hargeysa, Somaliland, May 31, 2006 -- Somaliland's Information Minister Abdillahi Mohammed Duale today vehemently denied allegations by Dr. Ali Khalif Galaydh, a former Somali Prime Minister, that Somaliland's late President Mohammed Ibrahim Egal didn't believe in Somaliland's independence but was waiting for the opportunity when a Somali government was established.

Talking to the local press, Duale described such allegations carried by the Somali newspaper Ogaal as a "slander against the late President and an insult to the people Somaliland."

"Egal's vision and political leadership were very clear and there was no ambiguity in them," he said, asserting that Egal had declared his political stance at international forums, particularly citing a speech that Egal delivered at an American university where he said: "Somaliland independence is irreversible even if it took 100 years to achieve recognition", adding that the late president had made similar declarations in the Hargeysa Khayria square.

Duale quoted Egal as saying the day he signed the Somaliland constitution: "All cynics should know today that Somaliland has been elevated to the level of the people's wish." Duale also noted that Egal had walked out of meetings with foreign dignitaries when they asked him to tone down the independence claim.

"Galaydh's allegations are, therefore, an insult to the people of Somaliland and to the sovereignty of their country and we demand an apology from hi," he said.

He added that the Somaliland government was adhering to the outcome of the Borama conference which had called for the completion of the democratization process in Somaliland, noting that the policies of Egal who laid the foundations of Somaliland, were fully compliant with the decisions of the Borama conference.

He cited that Galaydh had participated in all Somaliland community conferences including the Borama conference, saying: "Galaydh was looking for a political position at the time. Hence, when he says now that he would never have accepted if he was asked to be a president of Somaliland, he should know that Somaliland has a president and no one who doesn't have faith in the sovereignty of Somaliland would be allowed to lead this country."

He called Galaydh to heed history's call, to return to his homeland and take part in its the building of the country on the march. "This is an open invitation to him and we will welcome him," he concluded.

Answering a question about his government's position on a proposal by the Majeertenia regional administration [Puntland] on resolving the issue of Sool region at the level of the two regions of Togdheer and Sool, Duale said:" The issue is between Somaliland and the administration of that region [Puntland]. It is a constitutional issue and could only be resolved on a national level."

Source: Awdalnews Network