American Ambassador Mr Michael Ranneberger and Mrs Jawahir Mohamed Ali Sheikh Madar

Hargeysa, September 29, 2007 (SL Times) - The Somaliland Trade Representative for Southern African countries, Mrs Jawahir Mohamed Ali Sheikh Madar has been to several African countries where she has been trying hard to persuade the officials she met to extend diplomatic recognition to Somaliland, and to assist the people of Somaliland. The countries she visited included Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria. Some of the officials she met in Kenya were: American Ambassador Mr Michael Ranneberger, Mark Zimmer (Public Diplomacy Officer for all Somali Affairs), Larry Messerve of the USAID, and Ken Flottman (the International Republican Institute Regional Director).

In Rwanda, Jawahir Mohamed Ali Sheikh Madar discussed with Rwandan officials: bilateral relations, trade, investment, and assisting Somaliland’s veterans.

Brief summary of these achievements by the Somaliland trade representative

KENYA :

* Discussions held with H. E. US Ambassador Hon. Michael Ranneberger [a long time personal friend of Jawahir's] as well as with Mark Zimmer, Public Diplomacy Officer for all Somali Affairs and the Programme Officer on:

1. Somaliland's Recognition - It is understood that at an appropriate point in time and within the proper political circumstances, context and framework, there should be no half measures but a full recognition status

2. Political issues in the Horn of Africa and their bearing on Somaliland - TFG in Somalia, Ethiopian intervention, ICU and Eritrea, Mogadishu instability and displaced people Ogaden and Oromo Liberation Fronts, and US watching brief based in Djibouti - all affect Somaliland in very many ways. Through this maze, making sense of Somaliland's status and socio-economic issues were examined for Somaliland's betterment

3. USA Assistance - The Ambassador officially presented Larry Messerve, the Deputy Regional Director of the USAID for the east Africa Region, for Jawahir's perusal.

4. UK-US stand on Somaliland - Following Jawahir's receipt of an earlier directive on Somaliland from Rt. Hon. Mark Malloch-Brown, the ex-UNDP Administrator and the current UK minister for Africa & International Affairs, discussions were held with the American Ambassador on the combined stand of these countries and how it affects Somaliland's quest for recognition.

5. African Union [AU] position & the African Countries - Examined the position and support from various countries in the African Continent and the possible ways of moving forward

* Discussions held with Larry Messerve of the USAID on how the assistance to Somaliland can be demonstrable and measured in the near future. The current assistance programme was evaluated and future betterment, including a physical presence in Somaliland was evaluated.

* Discussions held with the US Special Envoy, Ambassador John Yates, on varied aspects of Soma1iland's political present and future

* Discussions held with the newly appointed US Embassy Press &. Public Policy Affairs Director, Thomas Dowling and his colleagues on Somali1and's global image, international perception and other relevant issues

* Discussions with the International Republican Institute [IRI] Regional Director Ken Flottman and his Programme Adviser on establishing an office in Hargeysa as well as assistance with channeling USAID assistance to Somaliland

* Discussions with the Ambassador, and his senior most colleagues as well as with the USAID and IRI, on issues of Democracy, Governance, Accountability and Human Rights.

RWANDA :

Several meetings were held with the appropriate authorities on the Somaliland issue with special references to:

Medical Assistance to Somaliland's war veterans.

Bilateral Trade, Investments and Cooperation

Assistance to the Line Ministry in Somaliland on Cultural and Tourism issues

Assistance to Somaliland’s war veterans' families [especially widows] in terms of vocational training

Assistance for Somaliland's Ministry of Defense, especially Army

Assistance in some tangible forms for the SNM veterans

NIGERIA

• Several meetings were held with the authorities at the highest levels on Somaliland, prior to H. E. The President - Rt. Hon. Umur Musa Yar Adua's departure for the UN General Assembly in New York
• Meetings with the highest Authorities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in terms of:

- Somaliland's status in the AU

- Somaliland's Recognition from the Nigerian point of view - Trade & Investment

It was agreed that a high level Parliamentary Delegation from Nigeria shall visit Somaliland in the near future

• Discussions with the Business Community Leaders for their support on investing in Somaliland. A few agreed to visit Somaliland soon after the Holy month of Ramadan
• It is of interest to note that with the blessing of the Nigerian Ministry of Culture & Tourism, there is now a " Hargeysa Street" in Abuja, where NO.3 is the office of the National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism. It was agreed that in due course there would be dialogue and appropriate exchange between the Somaliland Line Ministry and the said Institute.

We hope that we have accurately reflected Jawahir's efforts and will continue to report on her activities on Somaliland's behalf, as things progress.

Source: Somaliland Times