Somaliland defends ties with Ethiopia

May 1, 2006 (HARGEISA) — Council of Representatives of the self-declared republic of Somaliland reacted angrily to the yesterday’s statement by the Somali parliament in Baidoa on which they condemned the opening of the Ethiopian office in Hargeysa as illegal.

The chairperson of the senate committee in Somaliland strongly defended the independence of Somaliland, which he said came through bloodshed and at gunpoint, radio Shabeelle reported.

He described the rejection by the Somali parliament to the Ethiopian office in Hargeysa as fight against Somaliland sovereignty and must be prevented.

“Somaliland is an independent state and it was not brought about by begging but came through gunpoint and a long struggle and the so-called Somali parliament should know that,” said Abdiaziz Samale, the acting Speaker of Somaliland Council of Representatives. He said the separation of Somaliland was verified through a referendum, which 97 per cent of the public voted for.

Samale said they could not tolerate the recent statement by the Somali parliament, which he said cannot represent the Somali community.

He said Somaliland would not be a guest to anyone for its system to cope with world governments, including Ethiopia

(ST)