UK issues statement on recognition of Somaliland parliamentary debate
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisaid Muse Ali, today had a telephone conversation with the UK Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford.
The two ministers discussed strengthening co-operation based on co-operation, respect for unity and national sovereignty between the two countries, according to a statement from the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The talks also focused on enhancing bilateral relations and advancing political, security, economic, development and regional cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
Minister Abdisaid Muse Ali for his part thanked the British government for its support to the Somali government.
According to reports, the urgent talks between Abdisaid and Vicky Ford came after UK parliament re-launched a campaign for recognition of Somaliland, which it claims is an independent state.
Adjournment debate in @HouseofCommons underlines consistent UK government position on Somaliland status.
It is for SL & Federal Gov of Somalia 🇸🇴 to decide their future.
We continue to cooperate with Fed Gov of Somalia & SL on democracy, security & prosperity.
— Vicky Ford MP (@vickyford) January 18, 2022
The British government does not recognize Somaliland’s independence, and there is no desire to do so, as it has repeatedly stated, most recently in November 2021 when Vicky Ford, the UK’s Minister for Africa, declared that the UK did not recognize Somaliland until when such a decision is made in Somalia and other African countries.
Somaliland has spend a lot of resources on the cause of independence, but Somalia has thwarted that attempt, with the latest step in the UK’s efforts to preserve the unity and sovereignty of Somalia.
Meanwhile, the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sent a disappointing stance to Somaliland, as the country’s parliament debates the recognition of Somaliland.
British Minister for Africa Vicky Ford has announced that the recognition of Somaliland is a matter for the Somali federal government, which must negotiate with Somaliland.
“The debate in the House of Representatives underscores the UK’s consistent position on the status of Somaliland. It is up to Somaliland and the federal government to decide their future,” Vicky Ford said in a statement on Twitter.
“We will continue to work with the federal government of Somalia and Somaliland on issues of democracy, security and prosperity.”
Vicky Ford’s remarks closed today’s debate on social media and Somaliland’s hopes that the debate in the UK Parliament could lead to recognition in Hargeisa.
The news from Vicky Ford came hours after talks with Somali Foreign Minister Abdi Said Muse Ali.
The Somali Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the meeting that “the two ministers discussed strengthening co-operation based on co-operation, respect for unity and national sovereignty between the two countries.”
“The two ministers focused on enhancing bilateral relations and advancing political, security, economic, development and regional cooperation in the Horn of Africa, and thanked the British government for its support. extend to the Somali government, ”the statement said.
The debate was tabled in parliament by Gavin Williamson, a former UK defense minister, between 2017 and 2019.
