Minister Duale who had last week held consultations in Addis Ababa with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Karl Wycoff on security, bilateral relations and the region at large. Minister Duale also noted that besides consulting over issues of mutual interest the two sides had discussed at length on the preparations being made for the visit of a Somaliland delegation to the US slated for the end of this month.

“These discussions are not new in fact they are follow up of the consultations I had with Johnnie Carson, United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs at the sidelines of the African union Summit. We’ve also discussed on issues related to the democratization process in Somaliland and the upcoming elections. I’ve relayed to the deputy assistant secretary my government’s commitment towards holding free, transparent and secure elections. I have also raised our concerns on security in the region and have requested the US and our friends from the region that the issue of development is of paramount importance to us all and that we need support from the international community in regards to developing infrastructures that would help in bringing about further democratization in Somaliland.

“we cannot east democracy or good governance we need development in our infrastructure to help our people investment in social projects such as roads, schools and health care services. These investments will not only help in benefiting the population but also ensures peace and prosperity”, stated Duale.

Besides the meeting with Assistant Secretary Wycoff Minister Duale held consultations with the Norman Ling, British ambassador to Ethiopia; the EU delegation; and with Dr. Tekeda Alemu, Ethiopia’s state minister for foreign affairs.

Dr. tekeda is a good friend of Somaliland and we always have good discussions when we meet and we also compare notes on regional issues as well as bilateral ties.. Ethiopia is our key partner is the region. Obviously we have discussed with him on the possibility of sending Ethiopian observers for the upcoming elections in Somaliland. We also would like the African Union, IGAD, the Eu and other African nations to come and observe the elections”, said Minister Duale.

The Minister also stated that Somaliland had nothing to hide terming its as ‘you get what you see in Somaliland’
The minister also lauded the efforts made by the South African electoral commission that has observed elections in Somaliland starting from the referendum on Somaliland’s elections.

Following his meetings in Addis Ababa the minister had also time to visit Jijiga with the president of Ethiopia’s Somali region, President Daud Mohamed Ali, which he said Somaliland enjoys good relations with.

The minister also took the opportunity to praise the work being done by President Daud Mohamed Ali in regards to eh construction of roads, schools and health centers in the region saying “ the president and his team showed fantastic leadership and I really would like to congratulate him in the development t works that have been made in region five in regards to social infrastructures such as water, health and roads and I was really interested in the work being carried out there”