Hargeisa (SD) – The Vice President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail (Saylici) today attended the opening of the 14th annual Hargeisa International Book Fair in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.

Speaking at the event, the vice president thanked the management and officials of the cultural center and praised them for their great contribution to the country and welcomed guests from various countries who are participating in the book fair.

Vice President Saylici said the Fair would bring social cohesion, and said “neighborliness” this year’s motto, is something that is valued in Islam.

Director of the Hargeisa Cultural Center as well as the director of the Hargeisa International Book Fair, Dr. Jama Musse Jama, welcomed all the authors and various guests attending the exhibition.

Somaliland Minister of Information Saleban Yusuf Ali Koore, who also spoke at the event, said it was important that Somalilanders started writing.

“We are honored that people have started writing, and books have been written, which is a step forward. It is also an honor for us to edit books, and to see if they are inclusive and contributing to the community, ”he said.

The opening ceremony was also addressed by the Mayor of Hargeisa Abdikarim Mooge, the Ambassador of the European Union to Somalia Nicolas Berlanga and the Ambassador of Taiwan to Somaliland Allen C. Lou.

The 14th annual Hargeisa International Book Fair, is described as the largest book fair in East Africa, with a large number of guests from around the world attending every year.