Somaliland President receives UNDP delegation

Jun 12, 2008

The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mudane Dahir Rayale Kahin hosted an official reception for a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) last night at the Presidency in Hargeisa.

The UNDP delegation included Mr.Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Director for the UNDP office for the Arab region, Mr. Mark Bowden, coordinator for the UNDP Humanitarian office, Mr. Bruno Lemarquis, Somaliland and Somalia office cordinator and several other senior officers from the UNDP office in Hargeisa.

The UNDP delegation are on a short visit to Somaliland to evaluate the current UNDP projects in the country.

Mr. Abdoulaye Mar Dieye gave a brief statement to thank the government and the people of Somaliland for the warm welcome afforded to the delegation during their stay in Somaliland and also praised Somaliland for the security and stability currently prevailing in the nation.

Mr. Mar Dieye also stated that the UNDP has been able to increase its funding for projects in Somaliland during this fiscal year.

In response, the President of Somaliland, Mudane Dahir Rayale Kahin thanked the UNDP office for its continued support of the development in Somaliland and gave an overview of the nation's recovery from the destruction at the hands of the Barre regime during the civil war between 1988-1991.

President Rayale also stated that it is the aim of Somaliland to continue on its democratic path coupled with good governance and strong social development through dialogue, discussion and consensus.

Mudane Rayale assured the visiting delegation that the upcoming Somaliland Presidential and local assembly elections will be held as declared in the recent tri-party agreement.

In conclusion, President Rayale requested that the UNDP and other UN agencies take further steps to assist Somaliland in combating the global increase in food and fuel prices, especially since Somaliland does not receive direct aid due its lack of international recognition.

Attendees at the official reception for the UNDP delegation included, Madame Huda Burkhad, the first lady, and several senior Somaliland ministers including, Mudane Hussien Ali Duale, the Finance minister, Mudane Ali Ibrahim, the Minister of Planning, Mudane Abdillahi Mohamed Duale, the Foreign Minister and staff from the President's protocol office.

Source Qarannews