Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Somaliland in response to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’srevised travel advice for Somaliland
The Government of the Republic of Somaliland takes its responsibility to protect foreign nationals living and working in the country very seriously. International organizations,multinational businesses and other foreign entities have been operating securely in Somaliland for many years, thanks to the resources we have invested in our security institutions, and the willingness of the general public to cooperate with the Government in defeating security threats from terrorists. We do everything in our power to ensure that the Somaliland security forces are employed to the fullest extent in protecting the public, including foreign nationals living here.
The Somaliland government is investigating thoroughly the specific concerns underlying the change in the travel advice which the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office issued on 27 January. So far our efforts have failed to uncover any evidence to substantiate the information contained in the revised advice.We will continue to investigate until we are fully satisfied that the issue has been addressed. We also have an ongoing dialogue and collaboration with our international partners in this regard, and reiterate our appreciation of the support that Somaliland receives on security matters.
Somaliland has been cooperating with the UK and other foreign governments on many security-related issues for some time now. We have received support for the training of the security forces, as well as on the investigation of specific threats. Somaliland has not only been successful in maintaining its record as a bastion of peace and stability in a volatile region, but has also been a reliable partner to the international community in the prevention of spillover from the instability in the Horn of Africa. We will continue to work with domestic and international partners to ensure a satisfactory resolution to this matter.
Mohamed A Omar
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Somaliland