KUWAIT — The Somaliland President arrived in the Gulf nation of Kuwait on Tuesday to meet with senior officials, aid agencies and investors in the region.
President Ahmed M. Silanyo and his five member delegation were received at Kuwait International Airport by Sheikh Hamad Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah with a red-carpet greeting. Sheikh Hamad, the son of the emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, formally welcomed the Somaliland officials on behave of his father, the government of Kuwait and its people. The Kuwaiti Prince, who is also the chairman of Kuwait Projects Company (Kipco), a firm with consolidated assets of US$20 billion, picked them up from Abu Dhabi with one of his private jets.
On Wednesday, the president and his delegation will meet with the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, at his palace. Later in the afternoon they will have lunchon with the Ruler of the Arab kingdom and some of his senior ministers. During the meetings they are expected to exchange cordial talks and discuss issues of common interest between the two countries. Somaliland will seek direct investment and assistance in number of fields.
The President is leading Dr Mohamed Abdillahi Omar, Foreign Minister, Mr Hersi Ali Hassan, Chief of Cabinet, Mr Abdullahi Mohamed Dahir, Presidential Spokesman, Ali Ahmed Ali, president’s Private Secretary and Amina Sheikh Mohamed, the first lady.
This week’s visit to the UAE and Kuwait has already been billed as one of the most important visits to the region by a Somaliland leader since it restored its statehood in 1991. With burgeoning international interest in Somaliland various Arab countries, which in the past were hostile or at best lukewarm to the Republic are now eager to begin open dialogue and explore trading opportunities. Somaliland’s international standing continues to rise and it has been interesting to note in recent months that as well as the cordial reception President Silanyo has received whilst visiting various Gulf States regional neighbours have recognized Somaliland’s growing importance. Regional analysts believe one of the reason might be due to the departure of Hosni Mubarak and Gaddafi, who in the past did all they can to isolate Somaliland.
Egypt has always favored a unified Somalia for its own political and material gain. It is widely known Egypt always used Somalia as a proxy force against Ethiopia over the Nile river but now it appears Egypt is easing demands on dam constructions along the Nile. Analyst in the region believe, Egypt no longer requires Somalia for its dirty job and Arabs states are ready for new policy for the region.
Source: S/lpress
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