Somaliland President Speaks in Washington

Somaliland's President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo spoke on 22 April 2013 at the Atlantic Council in Washington.  His remarks titled "Somaliland: Advancing Security in a Fragile Region" continued to call for the diplomatic recognition of Somaliland.

Silanyo said "Somalia and Somaliland can and should be equal partners.  Yet as we proceed down this track, we hope and expect that those who are now reaching out to the new government in Mogadishu will the do the same with our government in Hargeisa.  In this regard, we have received assurances from the U.S. Government that its recognition of the government of Somalia will not negatively impact America's ongoing engagement in Somaliland."  He added that "only the people of Somaliland can and will decide their future--not the government in Mogadishu, not the international community."