Hargeisa (SD) – Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has today received at the Presidential Palace a large delegation from the US Congress, which is visiting the Somaliland capital Hargeisa.

According to a statement from the Somaliland Presidency, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, regional security, promoting democracy and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

“The President of the Republic of Somaliland briefed members of the delegation on the progress made in the Republic of Somaliland over the past three decades, which resulted, the international community keeping an eye on Somaliland’s democracy transformation in Africa and in many other parts of the world. An unrecognized country that achieved these goals in Africa, in implementing elections and a multi-party system,” the statement said.

The Somaliland presidency did not disclose their credentials, but the delegation are reportedly the U.S Congressional staff of Senator Lindsey Graham, U.S Represantative Kay Granger and a Senior Policy Analyst from the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

The delegation from the US Congress arrived in Hargeisa yesterday and held various meetings with members of both houses of the Senate, representatives and some women’s organizations.

The US Congress delegation’s visit comes at a time when the country is embroiled in a political dispute over the registration of the country’s political parties.

It was only yesterday that gunshots were heard inside Chambers of the newly elected House of Representatives of Somaliland, following a debate and brawl over the opening of the parties.

It is unclear whether the delegation from the US Congress raised the issue with the president and the speaker of parliament.

However, some believe that the current President of Somaliland, accused of being behind the dispute, has lost a valuable opportunity in promoting the country’s democratic achievements to the United States, while others believe that the US Congress delegation’s trip to Hargeisa, despite the turmoil is an opportunity to showcase the country’s achievements to the US.