Former Somaliland Minister Mohmmad Abdullahi Appointed Ambassador for “Grain from Ukraine”
November 25, 2023
By Ajong Mbapndah L
In this critical role, I will do my best to support the initiative and tackle hunger in Africa,” says Dr. Mohammad Abdullahi Omar .
Former Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohmmad Abdullahi Omar has been appointed an Ambassador for Grain from Ukraine Programme.
Following the appointment, Dr. Omar will be unveiled by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a food security summit in Kyiv on Saturday, November 25.
The summit will commemorate the first anniversary of the Grain from Ukraine initiative. Global leaders, including the presidents of Latvia and Switzerland and prime ministers of Lithuania, Croatia, The Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Portugal, and Sweden, will grace the event.
“The world is facing a devastating food crisis due to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and the disruption of global food supplies. Despite all the challenges, Ukraine is committed to acting responsibly on the international stage. The Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative was launched by President Zelenskyy last year to tackle famine worldwide, particularly in Africa. I am proud to be appointed honorary ambassador to support the programme. In this critical role, I will do my best to support the initiative and tackle hunger in Africa,” says Dr. Mohammad Abdullahi Omar who was Somaliland's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2013.
He later served as Somaliland's Minister of Commerce until May 20, 2014, when he was fired by presidential decree due to an internal dispute within the ruling Peace, Unity, and Development Party over leadership succession.
Before becoming Foreign Minister, Mr Omar was the Kulmiye party's Foreign Affairs Spokesman.
As a spokesman, he led the formulation of a foreign policy strategy that challenged the government in power and contributed to his party's victory in the June 2010 elections.
He has also taught at Brunel University and the Institute of Education at the University of London in the United Kingdom.
He also worked as a Senior Education Policy Advisor for Birmingham City Council in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Omar is the latest African to be appointed to the initiative. Others who are already part of it are Christopher Fomunyoh, former Nigerian Minister for Education Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili and ex-Malawi President Joyce Banda.
President Zelenskyy launched the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative during the International Summit on Food Security in November 2022.
The "Grain from Ukraine" initiative was launched by President Zelenskyy in November 2022 during the International Summit on Food Security. It is an international humanitarian program to supply Ukrainian grain to African and Asian countries to combat the global food crisis and counteract the humanitarian and economic consequences of the Russian war of aggression. As of June 2023, over 170,000 tons of grain have been delivered to Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen via six vessels.
Others expected to be unveiled as Grain Ambassadors include Neven Mimica a Croatian politician and diplomat who served as the European Union’s Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development from 2014 to 2019, Charlotte Leslie a British politician who served as a member of parliament for Bristol Northwest and currently the Director of the Conservative Middle East Council, and Manav Sachdeva who has over 25 years of experience spearheading initiatives in different environments such as Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, Somalia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Guyana, Liberia and Kosovo, as well as being located in HQ roles at UNHQ in New York City and within US entities in Washington DC.
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Hargeisa, Somaliland – November 25th, 2023 – The Government of the Republic of Somaliland expresses its deep concern regarding the recent accession of Somalia to the East African Community (EAC) block. We firmly believe that this decision is a clear violation of Somaliland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Somaliland, formerly the British Somaliland Protectorate, gained independence from the United Kingdom on June 26, 1960, predating Somalia’s independence by five days. On July 1, 1960, Somaliland voluntarily merged with Somalia, forming the Somali Republic. However, this union was marred by decades of brutal oppression and marginalization of the Somaliland people under the Somali Republic’s dictatorial regime of Mohamed Siad Barre.
In 1991, as the Somali central government collapsed, the people of Somaliland reclaimed their sovereignty and independence. On May 18, 1991, Somaliland declared its independence, a decision endorsed by all clan elders in a unanimous declaration. Since 1991, Somaliland has functioned as an independent and sovereign state, with its own democratically elected government, distinct currency, and effective control over its territory. We have established a stable and peaceful society, fostering economic development and social progress.
Somalia’s claim to Somaliland’s territory is unfounded and contradicts the historical and legal realities. Somaliland has never been part of Somalia since 1991, and Somalia has no right to represent Somaliland in any international or regional forum. We urge the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and EAC member states to recognize Somaliland’s distinct identity and sovereignty. Somalia’s accession to the EAC without Somaliland’s consent is a grave injustice and undermines the principles of international law.
The Republic of Somaliland is committed to peaceful and constructive engagement with the international community. We seek a just and equitable solution that recognizes our right to self-determination and our aspiration for international recognition.
We sincerely hope that the AU, UN, and EAC member states uphold the aspirations of our people and their inherent right to self-determination.
Hargeisa, Somaliland – November 25th, 2023 – The Government of the Republic of Somaliland expresses its deep concern regarding the recent accession of Somalia to the East African Community (EAC) block. We firmly believe that this decision is a clear violation of Somaliland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Somaliland, formerly the British Somaliland Protectorate, gained independence from the United Kingdom on June 26, 1960, predating Somalia’s independence by five days. On July 1, 1960, Somaliland voluntarily merged with Somalia, forming the Somali Republic. However, this union was marred by decades of brutal oppression and marginalization of the Somaliland people under the Somali Republic’s dictatorial regime of Mohamed Siad Barre.
In 1991, as the Somali central government collapsed, the people of Somaliland reclaimed their sovereignty and independence. On May 18, 1991, Somaliland declared its independence, a decision endorsed by all clan elders in a unanimous declaration. Since 1991, Somaliland has functioned as an independent and sovereign state, with its own democratically elected government, distinct currency, and effective control over its territory. We have established a stable and peaceful society, fostering economic development and social progress.
Somalia’s claim to Somaliland’s territory is unfounded and contradicts the historical and legal realities. Somaliland has never been part of Somalia since 1991, and Somalia has no right to represent Somaliland in any international or regional forum. We urge the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and EAC member states to recognize Somaliland’s distinct identity and sovereignty. Somalia’s accession to the EAC without Somaliland’s consent is a grave injustice and undermines the principles of international law.
The Republic of Somaliland is committed to peaceful and constructive engagement with the international community. We seek a just and equitable solution that recognizes our right to self-determination and our aspiration for international recognition.
We sincerely hope that the AU, UN, and EAC member states uphold the aspirations of our people and their inherent right to self-determination.
End of Press Release.
Source:-
https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/immediate-release-defending-somalilands-sovereignty-refuting?category=press-release