CONCLUSIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE CONFERENCE
Political
The conference considers
that:
-
Somaliland’s
declaration of independence is irreversible. Dialogue with
Somalia will be possible only as sovereign, equal independent
states, in the interest of peaceful co-existence. Somaliland’s
sovereignty is non-negotiable.
- Somaliland’s pursuit of international
recognition requires that the country’s institutions and
systems of governance be continually improved and strengthened.
Somaliland’s progress towards a stable, democratic political
system, including the conduct of free and fair parliamentary
elections, represents a new model for the Horn of Africa and the
continent.
- Somaliland
needs to embark on a concerted diplomatic initiative in order to
better communicate its position to the international community,
to persuade sympathetic governments to align themselves
officially with Somaliland’s cause, and to reassure the
international community that its recognition will contribute
materially to the security, stability and development of the
region.
Security
The conference believes
that:
- Somaliland
represents the success of a people-oriented “human security”
paradigm, in which the definition of security incorporates
factors such as governance, economics and the environment,
rather than the conventional, state-centric definition of
security.
- Somaliland
should remain committed to cooperation in regional security
concerns, through information and intelligence sharing, security
training, communication and transparent financial services.
Economic
The conference agrees that:
- Somaliland’s
economic self-reliance is one of its greatest assets. Even when
political recognition brings new economic opportunities, the
government should continue to pursue policies that reinforce
self-reliance rather than inviting dependency and debt.
- The
Saudi livestock ban is motivated at least in part by political
considerations. Somaliland should simultaneously pursue the
lifting of the ban, while diversifying economic production,
creating a regulatory environment conducive to foreign direct
investment, and seeking alternative sources of foreign exchange
earnings.
- Somaliland’s
geographical position requires that it pursue a long term
strategy of economic growth, based on integration with its
neighbours, including enhanced cross-border trade, harmonized
duties and tariffs, and the augmentation of peoples’
purchasing power.
- The
conference expressed concern about the development challenges
facing the country and encourages donor governments, as well as
the EU and international financial institutions to establish a
dedicated funding mechanism for Somaliland taking into account
the specific needs, priorities and capacity of the country.
Education
and Culture
The conference also urges
that:
- Somaliland
should initiate cultural exchanges with its neighbours in order
to encourage understanding between the countries and peoples of
the Horn.
- Somaliland
educational and research institutions should pursue linkages
with similar institutions in the region.
Media
The conference considers
that:
- The
media have played a key role in the emergence of democracy, the
consolidation of peace and the promotion of good governance in
Somaliland
- Social
and economic issues deserve greater media coverage,
proportionately, than they currently receive.
- Development
of the media sector requires greater private sector investment,
government incentives such as tax breaks and more opportunities
for the professional development of journalists.
- The
BBC should review both its coverage of Somaliland and its
training programme with a view
to more balanced reporting and responsiveness to local needs.
Somaliland’s
Women
The conference takes special
note of the contribution of Somaliland’s women to the political,
economic and social development of the country and encourages them
to play an even more active role in all domains of Somaliland
society.
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