HARGEISA (SD) -The President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, today met the country’s representatives to foreign countries in the presidential palace.

The representatives have been undertaking a weeklong capacity building training in Berbera, the capital of Sahil region.

The President was briefed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Mr. Esse Kayd accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdinasir Omar Jama and the Director General of the Ministry, Mr. Mohamed Abdillahi Duale.

The discussions centered on the crucial roles of the representatives play in advancing and promoting Somaliland’s mission of independence in the country’s they are appointed to, and how the government can best support them in their roles.

The President emphasized that Somaliland is currently getting the world’s attention, and that the representatives should take full advantage of this opportunity and expand Somaliland’s mission.

In the end, the President praised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations for their outstanding efforts in initiating productive capacity building training for the Somaliland Ambassadors.

Somaliland’s representatives are not appointed for their diplomatic credentials, the posts are seen as patronage.

“”The Somaliland government does not appoint foreign agents with knowledge and experience, the appointments are biased. When asked about the standard they used, they’ve no answer.” said Guleid Jama, a lawyer and a human rights defender.

Somaliland’s representatives are not recognized in their host countries, and face a variety of challenges, including technical and qualification issues.