President Rayale’s Annual Speech To Joint Houses of Parliament

Hargeisa, (SN) - President Dahir Rayale Kahin in an annual long speech to the joint House Of Parliament Spoke  about his government’s Political, Economic  and security  policy as well as the achievements of his government.

The President  began his speech  with greetings to all Somalilanders every where  and prayed for the  martyrs who lost their lives to attain freedom of the country. Speaking about the basis  of Somaliland’s achievements he said "Our secret for the unassisted achievement and development  is our reliance on our people’s will, consultations, perseverance and adhering to our  decisions . this is our answer to the International  community when we are  asked of how we have developed so far".

The President, Speaking  about the internal criticism and accusations in the country, he said "Our Administration  has reached all corners of our territory, our democracy and achievements  have brought to the limelight many enemies, it is essential that we unite and consult to overcome  our enemies. We  should keep in mind that our criticism should not put the country  on the alter of sacrifice, I hope that our democratization success will be refleoted in our economy  as well".

1. President Rayale, speaking about the political program of his government, said, that it is based on:

2. Safe Transition from a community based government to a constitutionally democratic.

3. Quest For Recognition of Somaliland.

4. Strengthening Of Security and stability and the extension of the administration to the whole territory.

5. Development of socio economic of the country and decentralization of the administration

6. Improving the judiciary system and providing equality of Justice to all.

The president in his speech criticized the opposition and said "I call on the opposition to be prepared to take part in a fair election with out putting the people in to a confusing chaotic condition, I  remind  them that law is above all and is the highest organ for administrating  the country, I remind those who refuse to abide by the law that they will be disgraced and will not  have any place in the community".

On the National Electoral Commission, he said that members should have more knowledge of the Law and said "The NEC is an executive organ but not a legislative  one and as such has to abide by the electoral laws".

On Sool and East Sanaag, he said that special funds will be allocated  for them in this year  budget  in order to help  them reach the level other regions in the infrastructure. "We have formed new regions  and districts in order to decentralize the administration. We have found out that this is imperative to fulfill the people’s  wishes, know  that the administration  has reached every corner of the country  and as such we perceive that decentralization is of paramount importance".

The President in his speech announced  that he expects that a new chapter and era of cooperation will be established between the Executive and the Legislative.

On Development  of Economy  and the country’s infrastructure, he said "The Government will complete its 2007 development project which will  contribute enormously to the economic  development with a five hundred Million Dollar fund will began in the Middle of this Year’’.

Mr Rayaale reminded the people that the pattern of Political criticism has been the cause of loosing a lot in the eyes of the international community and appealed for an immediate termination of that.

The president informed  that fiber optic cable will pass through the country form the sea up to Wajaale in the Ethiopia – Somaliland border.

On Completion of the project, a lot  of development in the communication  sector will be realized  , he said "We will  put forward the communication law which we hope will be passed immediately".

"We have to tighten our belts and manifest joint responsibility and work for the unity of the people  and  the country, to achieve this, we have to avoid every conceivable obstacle be it in words  or deeds that will have negative effect  on the country’’ he said.

The president called on the people to be vigilant against people who are dreaming to create instability on May 15. He Said "Their aim and target is to destroy what we have  been cultivating  for the last 17 years".

In Conclusion, he called on the international Community to respond to the people’s call for their rights to be recognized as the country has fulfilled all prerogative required by a state.

"I pray that God relieves us from the drought that hit the country, I pray for the development of the country and I  promised that the government will further strengthen stability in the country, good neighbor relations and its quest for recognition" he concluded.