Hargeisa (SD) – Somaliland President Muse Bihi met today in his office with a large delegation led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Ambassador James Swan.

The President met with the delegation led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia at the presidential palace, the focus was, the various factors underlying Somaliland’s working relationship with the United Nations and the role of the United Nations and the international community in Somaliland’s development.

Somaliland’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prof. Yasin Hajji Mohamud Harir (Faro-Toon), who addressed the media at the end of the meeting, announced that the president had relayed to the United Nations Representative a variety of messages about the progress Somaliland has made during its time.

“We have also asked the representative to send a message to the UN Secretary-General, that we are deeply concerned about the benefits, resources and contributions from the international community and the United Nations, in terms of building infrastructure, job creation and the country’s needs for education, health and water, we are all deeply concerned about the contribution from the world,” said Minister Yasin Haji Mohamud Harir.

The minister also said that the president had assured the UN delegation that Somaliland has overcome all odds, conflicts and the president told the envoy that Somaliland is ready to have dialog with Somalia and deal with issues of importance.

For his part, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General James Swan, who also addressed the media after the meeting, asserted that the United Nations is committed to continuing its work and projects in Somaliland, and to support the Somaliland government, appreciating how well they work together.

The meeting was accompanied by the Vice President of Somaliland, HE Abdirahman Abdullahi Ismail (Saylici) and the Ministers of Foreign and International Cooperation and Finance,