Date: 10/08/2016

Ref: SSE/Fr-0016/16

Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga

Parliament Building

Parliament Rd

P.O.Box 41842-00100

Nairobi, Kenya

Dear Honourable Odinga, 

We, an umbrella organisation for the Somaliland communities in Europe, are writing to you to express our gratitude for your moral and political support for the fate of the Republic of Somaliland.

With much appreciation we have watched and listened to your magnificent speech at Chatham House and your call for the international community to recognise the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state. Your unparalleled call was courteous, courageous and the right thing to say: “I am a strong supporter of the full recognition of Somaliland. I think there is a very strong case”.

We are pleased with your continual support for the people of Somaliland which as you have befittingly stated as “an independent Somaliland, supported by the international community, could be a force for stability and progress in an otherwise hopeless region, and could be an ally infighting the scourge of piracy off the Somali coast”.

We share your view that the Republic of Somaliland has a strong legal case for gaining international recognition. We also share with you your acknowledgement that the Republic of Somaliland can play an instrumental role in restoring peace and stability to the Horn of Africa when the legitimate aspirations of the people of Somaliland are respected. We hope you will continue to educate African leaders and relevant others about the fact that the people of Somaliland have chosen peace and democracy with law and order over dictatorship and anarchy.

Your persistence to draw the attention of the International Community towards the plight and the political future of Somalilanders will never go unnoticed. So thank you very much again.

Your sincerely,

The SSE Executive Committee