"Somaliland leader rejects unity with Somalia"

The president of the breakaway Republic of Somaliland said on Friday his administration will only negotiate with Somalia if it is for the recognition of their respective states' sovereignty.

"Somaliland's independence is sacred and efforts to discuss Somaliland uniting with Somalia are futile and a waste of time," President Dahir Riyale Kahin said by telephone from Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, on Friday.

Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence from the rest of Somalia in May 1991, five months after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled.

But despite developing the tools of statehood, including a flag and currency, and enjoying relative peace compared with Somalia, the breakaway state has not been recognised by the international community.

Kahin said: "If Somaliland were to abandon its existence as a free nation in the world, then there would be no reason why it declared its independence.

"I have the full support of my people to stick to our freedom. It is good for Somalia and Somaliland to recognise each other and to make our region a peaceful place."

Full Article : mg.co.za