#Somaliland

Unlike previous events, preparations for the 25th Anniversary of  regaining Somaliland Independence 18 May 2016 has been extensively going since January in the most host countries of Somaliland Diaspora communities abroad, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and Africa as well.

Somaliland Diaspora Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation has encouraged all Diaspora communities to commemorate 18 May more strongly and differently than ever before and submitted action plan to the Somaliland Diaspora communities committees as guideline in regards to the preparations of the Diaspora communities for 18 May. The government emphasized the performances of powerful rallies and highly organized receptions, more media exposure and more engaging of the host governments and Somaliland friends in the events. There have been noteworthy efforts of the Diaspora communities committees, scholars, umbrella associations and appointed preparatory committees in preparations for 18 May 2016 to strengthen unity, cooperation and collective action of the communities in commemoration of 18 May, 2016 mainly countries in Europe. What is also worthy of mention that the most of the preparatory committees have been well reporting to SLDA and MOFA upon updates of their works including the Students Associations. 

The key activities include remarkable and historic rallies planned to take place in different countries including UK Sweden, Canada, USA and Australia plus more participation of Somaliland friends and bigwigs from host governments in key receptions. The most Somaliland Diaspora communities celebrating 18 May also submitted petitions and the legal case of Somaliland Recognition to their host governments. 

The celebrations for 18 May abroad which have already taken place in some countries started on 13th May for the first and will continue in the last week of May and first week of June to the last in some places.  

Somaliland Diaspora Agency estimates that 18 May this year will be celebrated in nearly 70 capitals and major cities and towns in about 40 countries abroad by Somaliland Diaspora population. 

EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA & AUSTRALIA:  UK, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Turkey, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.   

AFRICA:  include Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti, Sudan, Egypt, South Africa, and South Sudan.

ASIA: include UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Philippines, China and other countries. 

Somaliland Diaspora Agency sends congratulations to all Somaliland Diaspora communities abroad including the active students associations, who are as well celebrating for 18 May in many countries on how patriotically they are all commemorating for the 25th Anniversary of Somaliland, 18 May, 2016.  SLDA also appreciates role of the most Somaliland Ambassadors in the 18 May Events preparations and their cooperation with the Somalilanders in their receiving countries.  

Finally, we are calling all Somaliland Diaspora communities to greaten celebrations for the national day 18 May 2016 and particularly the upcoming planned rallies in support of the sovereignty and the quest for recognition of the Republic of Somaliland.  

The Somaliland Armed Forces are the main military command in Somaliland, and, along with the Police Force and all other internal security forces, are overs