Mogadishu (SD) – Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Wadajir party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur spoke at the commemoration of Somaliland’s 30th anniversary on May 18th.

“We congratulate our brothers in Somaliland in commemorating May 18, wherever they are in the world, I congratulate them on achieving peace, political and the implementation of a successful one person one vote electoral system.” The former Somali President Sheikh Sharif said in a released statement.

Adding “They have set a good example for the rest of Somalia over the past 30 years, by achieving security, social development and free elections.”

The leader of the Wadajir party Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame also issued a statement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Somaliland’s independence.

“I congratulate the people and the leadership of Somaliland on the peace, stability and democratic process they have achieved. In the South we love unity, our brothers think they have lost in the union. The debate is whether we should take into account the past in order to make unity worthwhile, to tackle our challenges in the future, or to cling to and miss out on opportunities for future generations. A clear, convincing, credible debate is necessary, because the path to unity is Hargeisa and the independent is Mogadishu.” Said the Wadajir leader in a released statement.

Presidential candidate Abdikarim Hussein Guled also addressed the issue of Somaliland’s independence.

“It is a fact that the solution to the Somaliland issue requires priority and vision, through compromises, acknowledgments and fruitful negotiations from the Federal Government of Somalia, away from sentimentality and frustration, and real-time and issue-based discussions should be held.” Mr. Guled said in an statement.

Adding “It is unfortunate that the Farmajo Administration has not given this priority its status and has instead imposed sanctions on social assistance, development projects and basic necessities for the people of Somaliland.”

Somaliland was united with Somalia, a former Italian colony, after it gained independence from the British in 1960, but regained its independence after a bitter war in 1991.

Somaliland is today celebrating the 30th anniversary of its declaration of independence, and has been seeking international recognition since then.