By Joy Kyalo
Raila Odinga has today challenged the politics of denial and appealed to Africa Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and United Nations (UN) to speed the process of recognizing Somaliland as a fully independent country.
Speaking at the Liaison Office in Nairobi, the AU’s High Representative for Infrastructure said that it is impossible to reunite Somalia and Somaliland.
“AU needs to wake up to the reality that it is not going to be possible again to bring these two countries together, and recognize them as two separate countries,” Raila said.
In his opinion, Raila said that he does not regret making the same remarks earlier while in the UK.
“I have talked in the UN, and I have talked in the London Charterhouse. I said, and I have no regret and I will say it again that Somaliland is a reality, that the world has got to live with,” Raila said.
The opposition chief in the country added that Somaliland will continue to progress and service without depending on Somalia.
He added that the sooner the issue is solved by the international bodies, the better for the two countries.
Raila said AU should step in and open a conversation about Somaliland, the way it handled the Western Sahara disputed territory on the northwest coast and in the Maghreb region of North and West Africa.
The collaboration talks between Kenya and Somaliland has attracted unfriendly setback from Mogadishu, which has ended its ties with Kenya.
State House has issued a joint communique by Uhuru and Muse Bihi where they directed their respective senior officials to work together to develop a general cooperation framework agreement.
In the agreement, Kenya is expected to open its Consulate in Hargeisa by end of March 2021.
Somaliland would also upgrade its Liaison Office in Nairobi within the same timeframe.
