President of Somaliland visits UK
Andrew Mitchell meets with the President of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo during his first visit to the UK since his successful election.
Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell met with the President of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo on Thursday 2 December during his first visit to the UK since his successful election in June.
The President and Secretary of State discussed Somaliland’s vital contribution to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region, as well as the challenges of sustaining progress on stability and development within Somaliland. The Secretary of State congratulated the President on his election in June, and the Somaliland people on the peaceful election and transition between governments.
The President was accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Planning. He is in the UK for a private visit.
British aid is making a real difference to the lives of the people of Somaliland and is helping to increase the progress on development within the region.
In the last year in Somaliland, British aid has helped to get 39,000 more children into primary school; train over 300 nurses and midwives; and provided 11,500 people with short term employment opportunities which has helped to maintain roads, build classrooms and conserve land for farming.
The UK Government is currently reviewing its programme in Somaliland and will seek to build on this progress over the next four years, with increased support to programmes that will boost health, education, employment, governance and security and humanitarian assistance.
Working through partners in close cooperation with the Somaliland authorities, and other donors, these programmes will increase the level of staffing at health facilities by qualified health workers and professionals, from 5% to 40%; provide Measles, Polio and Tetanus vaccinations to over one million women and children; provide access to water and sanitation to over 100,000 people; and increase the number of pregnant women visiting Ante Natal Clinics from 15% to 40%; as well improving access to justice and economic opportunities.