Somaliland government has strongly responded to remarks made by the President of the Somali Federal Government, Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who said that they have been trying to end the Somaliland issue through dialogue for 35 years, and that they had the power to use military force but they preferred negotiations. Somaliland’s Information Minister, Mr. Barkhad Jama Batun, stated that the statement from Somali President shows in what he described as a war plans against Somaliland, noting that the government of Somaliland is ready to defend itself against any invasion or aggression from Mogadishu. He disclosed that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told the world that he is prepared and ready to wage war against Somaliland, while Somaliland is a symbol of stability, peace and unity. He revealed that it is also a symbol of exercising democracy by holding free and fair elections. He added that Somaliland will not turn a blind eye to anything it views as a conspiracy to shed the bold of its people. He clarified that Somaliland’s armed forces are ready to defend it, along with the president, his government and its people stand in the same position to protect the integrity and the security of Somaliland at all costs. Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who gave an interview to Dawan television, said that it was unsuccessful for Somaliland in returning to the dialogue foe 30 years, although it was possible to use military force but they preferred to test the path of negotiations first, according to him. Somali President also described the relationship between Israel and Somaliland as unacceptable, stating that the recognition of Israel is a trap set for Somaliland people.
