Hargeisa, Somaliland – The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi, welcomed to the Presidential Palace a delegation of ambassadors from the United Kingdom, the European Union, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, the Czech Republic, and France. These dignitaries served as international observers for the elections held yesterday across Somaliland.
The ambassadors commended the people of Somaliland for their exemplary commitment to democracy, noting the peaceful and well-organized manner in which citizens cast their votes. They praised Somalilanders for their active participation in electing candidates for political associations, the three national parties, and the offices of President and Vice President for the next five years.
In their remarks, the ambassadors congratulated the people of Somaliland and described them as a model for democratic maturity in Africa and beyond. They emphasized that the international community could learn from Somaliland’s peaceful and transparent electoral process.
President Muse Bihi Abdi was joined during the meeting by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Essa Kayd Mohamoud, and the Special Envoy for Talks, Mrs. Edna Adan Ismail.
The diplomatic delegation included:
– United Kingdom Ambassador Mike Nithavrianakis and Diplomat Ilyas Malek.
– European Union Ambassador Karin Johanson and Diplomat Thomas Kieler.
– Denmark Ambassador Steen Sonne Andersen and Deputy Ambassador Gertrud Birk.
– Sweden Ambassador Joachim Waern and Diplomat Johan Svenson.
– Switzerland Ambassador Mirko Giuletti and Diplomat Natalie Frei.
– Norway Ambassador Einar Rystad and Diplomat Narve Rotwitt.
– Czech Republic Deputy Ambassador Miroslav Balint.
– France Ambassador Lucile Carrez and Diplomat Mohamed Sahardiid Raage, Trade Affairs Advisor.