Somaliland is a small miracle in a sea of difficulty-UK Secretary of International Development

UK secretary of International Development MR Rory Stewart answered questions relating to Somaliland from the Members of Parliament of the House of Commons in London.

QUESTION: Stephen Doughty, MP: Labour/Co-operative, Cardiff South and Penarth

Climate change has affected Somaliland. As he will know, I am the secretary to the all-party group on Somaliland and we recently welcomed the Finance Minister. Can you say what steps your Department is taking to support the upcoming parliamentary elections in Somaliland and also the talks between Somaliland and Somalia? Will you meet the all-party group to discuss what we can do to support that fantastic country?

ANSWER:

Rory Stewart: The Secretary of State for International Development

First, I pay huge tribute to the work of the APPG on Somaliland. As all Members of the House will know, Somaliland is a remarkable success story. Somalia itself has been through a very difficult situation, and Somaliland is a small miracle in a sea of difficulty. We worked very closely with Somaliland on the last presidential elections and we will be supporting the new parliamentary elections. On my last visit to Somaliland, I was lucky enough to meet the gentleman who is now President (Muse Bihi Abdi). There is much more we can do and I would be delighted to sit down with the hon. Gentleman to discuss all those issues.