Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – In a speech delivered in Hargeisa, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro officially launched a new institution named the “Somaliland Independence and Recognition Institute,” which is expected to focus on accelerating Somaliland’s campaign for international recognition and promoting its cause globally.
The President stated that the institute will be led by individuals considered close allies of Somaliland. He noted that the institute’s chairman has been appointed as British Member of Parliament Sir William Gavinson, alongside other academics, politicians, and international supporters.
“The institute will be chaired by Somaliland’s friend Sir William Gavinson, joined by many other friends of Somaliland, and more than 2,000 supporters of Somaliland are ready to contribute,” the President said.
He explained that the institute will document Somaliland’s history, the legal arguments behind its pursuit of recognition, and the various stages of its struggle for independence. President Irro also revealed that the institute has been officially registered in the United Kingdom in order to operate on an international level.
President Irro added that the institute’s members largely consist of university professors, experts, lawmakers, and scholars specializing in political science and international law, who will work to convince the international community of Somaliland’s case for recognition.
He stressed that the institute’s members are committed to achieving Somaliland’s long-standing goal of securing international recognition, describing the institution as a central platform that will unify discussions and efforts surrounding Somaliland’s recognition campaign.
For his part, the head of the institute described Somaliland as a model of democracy and stability in the Horn of Africa, calling it “a light shining from the African continent.” He accused the Somali government of repeatedly attempting to obstruct Somaliland’s progress but stated that they would do everything possible to ensure Somaliland’s success.
He concluded by calling on the international community to formally recognize Somaliland, adding that Israel serves as an example worth following in its path toward international recognition.