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12:56 - 12 January 2006

Bristol Mp Kerry McCarthy is calling on the Government to recognise the Republic of Somaliland after intensive lobbying from community leaders in the city. Ms McCarthy wants ministers to champion the case of the self-declared republic on the world stage and increase aid to its impoverished population.

There are between 7,000 and 10,000 Somalis living in mainly the Barton Hill, Easton and St Paul's areas of Bristol - many of whom are originally from Somaliland. These areas are in Ms McCarthy's Bristol East constituency.

Somaliland unilaterally declared itself independent from Somalia after the country descended into a devastating civil war in 1991.

The republic established a reputation for peace and stability - in contrast to the rest of Somalia - but remains unrecognised by other governments or the United Nations.

International recognition would lead to more inward investment and aid from other countries.

Ms McCarthy agreed to take up the issue after she met a delegation of Bristol Somali leaders including Kayse Maxamed, editor of the Somali Voice newspaper, and Mustafah Mahmood, vice-chair of Support Somaliland, in Westminster.

Speaking after the meeting, the MP said:

"There is a real need for aid, development work and support for the government there.

"It seems to me there has got to be some move inter nationally.

"There should be recognition of its independence - or at the very least an EU position on this.

"The EU could change its position to 'We think Somaliland should be recognised'.

"We have a situation here where the people of the country want fully recognised independence.

"However, because of other issues in Somalia, the priorities of that government are elsewhere." Voters in Somaliland elected MPs in September - the first time since the territory declared independence 14 years ago.

Recognition of Somaliland as her Rt. Hon. Kerry McCarthy MP said will help create investment and aid opportunities badly needed for Somaliland?s infrastructure such hospitals and healthcare which is almost non existent. Child mortality is high,education is very low rated among the lowest in the world. The country's infrastructure was devastated by a cruel regime that had no mercy for humanity waging a genocide against the people of Somaliland so that their history will be wiped out from the map of Africa and that of the world. Basic infrastructure of the country was destroyed killing thousands of people, displacing half of the population, littering landmines in the country which is posing threat to date. This alone is a crime against humanity where innocent people are being hurt to date where young children tending and playing with their sheep get blown up losing limbs and parts of their bodies. I guess it is too emotional for Somalilanders to reflect how such hatred and cruelty can be allowed to exist in this century where civilization has reached its peak.It takes outstanding men and women of conscious with vision for humanity be it lay people or outstanding politicians to come out and stand for the rights of those whose voice can not be heard. For those who lost their lives this may be a little too late.History will judge and witness Somaliland's cry for humanity. When the chapters of the history of Somaliland's humanity is opened witnessing how outstanding people who are not with us today from all walks of life be it mothers, children, women, artists, humanitarians, teachers, students, leaders, professionals lost their struggle and basic rights to humanity let us not shed tears. Our strength should enable us to fight for their vision and peace for humanity so that justice can be achieved for the future generations of Somaliland.

Lulu Farah,  UK

thank you so much Ms McCarthy and i hope that one day somaliland will be one of tha common wealth members, becouse before unoin of south somali our state was member of that organization. and you got an opportunity to recognise somaliland by your selfthanksviva somaliland

Guleid Ahmed @ayaanle,  Kualalumpur, Malaysia

Let me take the opportunity to thank Mp Kerry McCarthy for her remarkable call to put Somaliland on the map. All Somaliland did was ending a dreadful unity with hopeless state and should not be penalised for that. It is up to the SomaliLanders around the globe to act now to make sure Somaliland is on the map. Somaliland is already Africa?s Best Kept Secret and will remain so in the future. Long live Somaliland forever.

mubarik ahmed ibrahim, london, uk

I would like to offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the effort that the right honourable lady Ms Kerry McCarthy has put to and the time she has spent the issues relating to the recognition of Somaliland. And also I would like to thank my dear friend Mustafe Abdi Gamuute for lobbying the recognition of Somaliland.Great Britain has been reluctant for a long time to rise the idea of recognising Somaliland within the EU for various reasons whiles Italy was openly advocating not to recognise Somaliland since the South Somalia was former Italian colony.Somaliland has been patient for a long time and it has successfully completed all the democratic machinery. Somaliland has stood side-by-side GB during the first world ward, Second World War and the Falklands war. The only thing that Somaliland is requesting from GB is to come out from the closet and to openly lobby the recognition of Somaliland within the EU as Italy was lobbying for its former colony ( South Somalia). I would also like to encourage other Somaliland communities to contact their MPs in regarding the recognition of Somaliland.Let us make 2006 the YEAR of REGONITION of Somaliland.Viva Somaliland.Ahmed Mohamed Alisalan, Welwyn Garden City, UK.

Ahmed Mohamed AliSalan, Welwyn Garden City, UK

thank you miss be for opening all the way to the whole for our statehood recognisation.

papa,  london

Thanks to the MP for her smart suggestion of recognizing Somaliland.But we, the Somaliland People, need to do more about our state of governanace and democracy to be well-prepared for an international recognition.Somaliland should introduce clear economic, social and political schemes and plans to better develop with its miniature resources.Mismanagement, corruption and inccompettent and uneducated ministers should be removed from the scene.We most also try to convince the South/Somalia to accept Somaliland's independence or the withdrawal of the Union of 1960 with them, as Ereteria did when gaining independence from Ethiopia.Wish my people a better future.

Mohamed Esse Yousuf, Hareisa, Somaliland

Dear KerryPlease read Opinion of Somali leaders what they says about Somaliland recognitionBelow is a transcript of a radio interview with a key Jowhar leader, Mohamed Omar Habeeb (Mohamed Dheere). The former Member of the TFG Parliament, gave up his parliamentary seat to make way for the current TFG Prime Minister Gedi, Mohamed Dheere is the self-proclaimed governor of Middle Shabelle and a known Hawiye Abgal warlord.Here is the translation of Mohamed Dheere's interview on Radio Golis on Dec 24, 2005. The question comes after a long interview covering many topics.Question:In a recent BBC interview, the Prime Minister Mohamed Ali Gedi indicated that he is in favour of Somaliland's independence from the rest of Somalia. What is your view of this?Answer:I myself have no problem with that. To begin with, I do not think Somaliland can be independent on its own. In any case, it has been a burden on the South and it is not possible to make a country formed of a weak region and strong regions. Somaliland does not produce anything and they have no resources and they will always remain a burden on the South. One of the causes of the conflict in Somalia has been Somaliland.I think if they believe they can stand on their own and want to test themselves, the rest of Somalis should support that and I would suggest to the international community to recognize Somaliland.Translated by Dr Ahmed Esa, Institute of Practical Research & Training2005-12-27 Source: TV.Somaliland EuropeBEFORESomali premier says his government not to object to recognition of SomalilandSomalia's Premier Ali Muhammad Gedi in an interview with the Somali programme of the BBC broadcast, Friday 11 November 2005, said that although his government will not be the first one to recognize Somaliland, however, it will raise no objections to Somaliland being recognized by the rest of the international community."Somaliland has opted for indepe

Qarannews, UK

Many thanks MP Kerry McCarthy for her active role.It?s great to see a parliamentarian who recognizes change and prosperity. Somaliland needs to be recognized to further it?s improvements and by parliamentarians like Mp Kerry Somaliland would obtain what it?s been looking for RECOGNITION!!.

Dr; Abdi Ibrahim Hassan , Melbourne Austaralia

(roughly translated) Let me congratulate you for your story which touches me a great deal. From all levels of life we hope to be recognized with the rest of the world. I think that today European people are necessary to help us in our fight to be recognized. As we know there are a lot of different nationalities in your country and they each want their country and their people to prosper in life and be recognized. I feel that the African politicians today face many conflicts in today's society and sometimes democrats such as yourselves could create new problems. I think that this is purely a human error which can be rectified in time. This is what you are trying to do today when you say you want to recognise the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign state. I congratulate and ask you to continue in this. This appeal will be read and heard by all kinds of people throughout Europe. I think that Italy has a certain interest in Somalie. We look forward to a future relationship between our two countries.

abdi djama, sal

Mc McCarthy, I am sure Somaliland will be recognised soon and nobody, nobody can stop that you are lucky to be written in the history books of Somaliland as one of the MPs who contributed to reach that goal.Thank youMohamed Ahmed

Mohamed Ahmed, Kuwiat

I have to grateful to Kerry, for her beloved supporting to Somaliland reconzilation. ofcoures we deserve to get lots of western and other supporter, because we solv any kind of problom as peace fully. Our land is unique totally deffrent from many other african countries, those are bottom of the demoktarcity and modren time. By and large ms Kerry keep it up. it's the the fact idea, & tell ur brother to be like you.

khalid abdi, Denmark

Iam very glad to thank u mc carthy for ur fresh idea aobut the recognising of our home somaliland, it is realy a great 0pportunity for somaliland to be a member of the unated nations ......

Ahmed Mohamed Omar, hyderabad INDIA

thank you miss mc carthy for ur supporting of our home land republic of somaliland. and I realy appreciated for spreeding in the world the right of somaliland.I would like to thank you again for ur supporting.and i hope that the rest of the world would also see and aware soon the right of somaliland.......thank u

yahye omar yuusuf, hyderabad INDIA

thank you miss mc carthy for ur regarding related to the somaliland recognition, realy u r opening the way get somaliland recognise and progress, againg iam thanking u ur health veiw that u r supported somaliland nations.......

md_adam dahir,  india hyderabad

Thank you soo much for this fresh idea. I think it is the time our Somalia goverment to recognize Somaliland. Hope our Minister Mr Geedi is very serious about recognizing Somaliland. There is so many Somali intellectuals who has sampati and sapport for Geedi about the recognising of Somaliland but many questioning the political compitens of the present Somali presiden (Mr Abullahi) if he is capable to solve this political deadlock between Somali and Somaliland. It is the time to solve our problems with out involvment from out side. Remeber Somalilanders are the least tribe in the east africa, if they were triblest they whould never come to us and united with us while they had their own sovereignty and dependent country. Now they make even their country democratic. Please recognize Somaliland so we Somalis can focus our own problems. Thanks Ms McCarthy.

Dr Ali Alasow, Mogdisho

Thanks alot ms McCarthy ...how is nicely it will be for us if we get a full recognition from the commen wealth countries any development we want is absticated by the lack of international recognition so plz the common house mumbers do your best and bring this issue inthe general assambly of the UN ...... thanks ms McCARTHY

Ahmed_hezz Adam, New delhi India

thank you miss mc carthy for ur regarding related to the somaliland recognition, realy u r opening the way get somaliland recognise and progress, againg iam thanking u ur health veiw that u r supported somaliland nations.......

md_adam dahir, india hyderabad

Thank you soo much for this fresh idea. I think it is the time our Somalia goverment to recognize Somaliland. Hope our Minister Mr Geedi is very serious about recognizing Somaliland. There is so many Somali intellectuals who has sampati and sapport for Geedi about the recognising of Somaliland but many questioning the political compitens of the present Somali presiden (Mr Abullahi) if he is capable to solve this political deadlock between Somali and Somaliland. It is the time to solve our problems with out involvment from out side. Remeber Somalilanders are the least tribe in the east africa, if they were triblest they whould never come to us and united with us while they had their own sovereignty and dependent country. Now they make even their country democratic. Please recognize Somaliland so we Somalis can focus our own problems. Thanks Ms McCarthy.

Dr Ali Alasow, Mogdisho

British Somalilanders will'not forget mp ms McCarthy and an othether mps who are interested recognition of repuplic of Somliland when they need their votes.

abdi suudi, CARDIFF .UK