PRESS RELEASE

 

  

Somali region delegation visit a success

 

 

Authorities from the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia are visiting London from 21st to 26th August. 2009.

 

The delegation is led by H.E. Mr Abdulfatah Abdulahi, Chairperson of the ruling party in the region, the Somali Peoples’ Democratic Party (SPDP), who is responsible for the region’s Capacity Building Bureau.

 

Other members of the delegation are:

 

Mr Abdi Mohammed

Head of the Security and Justice Bureau

 

Dr Sultan Weli

Head of the Water Development Bureau

 

Mrs Segida Abdi

Representative from the Woman’s Affairs Bureau

 

Mr Abdurhaman Sheik Mohammed

Head of Education Bureau of the Somali region

 

The delegation is accompanied by H.E. Bashir Abdullahi Aydarus, State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

 

During their stay in London, the delegation met members of the diaspora community from the region in a general meeting that took place on 22nd August.

 

The delegation informed the community of the political and economic transformation taking place in the region, which has witnessed in the last ten years, and especially in the last five years, significant growth in school enrolment, in development of infrastructure and the provision of basic health services and the development of agriculture. It also informed them of the growth of higher education in the region and the training that is given by Jijiga University in a range of disciplines.

 

They also mentioned that while these positive developments are taking place in the region, extremists like the ONLF and its surrogates have tried to undermine the peace and development programme. The ONLF is one of the conduits for foreign elements bent on de-stabilising the Horn of Africa and it is well-known for working with Eritrea, which also seeks to create havoc in our sub-region.

 

The delegation spelt out that, due to the determination of the people and the regional as well as federal governments, the mission of these forces of destruction has been overcome. More than any other time, the people of the Somali regional state of Ethiopia are organised to defend their region from the crimes committed by this irresponsible organisation. The diaspora community is urged, at this historical juncture, to work together with the regional administration and the people of the region towards peace and sustainable development.

 

The delegation underlined the role of the diaspora community in promoting trade and investment as well as in facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology to the region.

 

The meeting was lively and interactive and members of the diaspora raised questions and queries related to political, economic and social issues, which were effectively addressed by the delegation.

 

The delegation also conducted smaller group meetings with a cross-section of representatives from the diaspora community, especially the representative of Shakash, Degodia, Levan, Jeduak, Yobub, Howud and Gree, and also groups from the Ogaden clan.

 

In addition, they held detailed discussions with two groups who are dedicated to promoting peace and development in the sub-region.

 

They also agreed with these groups to work together on how to promote specifically trade, investment and tourism and also on how best to fight those extremist elements who continue to tarnish the image of the region by spreading malicious propaganda against the region.

 

The delegation had an interview with the BBC world Somali program and Focus on Africa English Service and with ETN TV (a Somali television station). H.E Mr Abdulfatah Abdulahi in his interview with the above stated three media outlets gave detailed explanation of the political and socio-economic development programs under implementation in the region. He also underscored how the current peace and stability in the region created conducive environment for the promotion of trade, investment and tourism.

 

The other members of the delegation also gave an interview to the BBC Somali World Service concerning on going programs and projects in there are of competence.

 

As a result of this major meeting and successive group meetings the regional administration agreed on a mechanism to cultivate and expand the relations that have been initiated during their present visit to the UK.

 

 

ENDS

22 August 2009