Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mohamed B. Yonis has taken the Foreign Ministry to new heights by promoting Somaliland globally.
PRESS STATEMENT:
Born in 1947, Mohamed Behi Yonis is better known as one of our nation’s great
diplomats. His educational background is an inspiring one; he holds a Masters
degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard
University, a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University, a
certificate in Conflict Management from the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution
and a Diploma in Education from Teachers Training College in Hargeisa, and
Gohrde College in Germany.
President Silanyo handpicked Mohamed B. Yonis to become Somaliland’s Minister
of Foreign Affairs on 25 June 2013, and since then the Ministry’s profile and
mandate has expanded domestically and internationally.
There is no denying that Minister Yonis’ former positions have given him a head start
in foreign relations; however that should not take away his efforts in forming new and
fresh relationships as a Minister to enhance Somaliland’s profile at an international
level and strive closer to achieving recognition for the nation.
Since his appointment, Minister Yonis has redeveloped the Ministry’s human
resources, infrastructure, policies and procedures, communication, and has
established many services to citizens including visas, entry permits and business
certificates. He has also sent much time and effort to restructure the Ministry to
better equip it to fulfill its mandate, including recruiting experienced Somalilanders
who are experts in number of fields, to work as Advisors in Legal, Communication,
Political Affairs and International Cooperation fields.
Nevertheless, the Minister’s quest for improvement did not stop there; Somaliland
also saw a vast improvement on international relations with other countries. In June
2015, Minister Yonis took part in the 25th World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape
Town, South Africa, where he represented Somaliland and presented it’s case to a
high-profile crowd of public and private sector leaders, including President Jacob
Zuma and other senior officials within the South African Government.
He used this international platform to discuss the many obstacles facing Somaliland
today, including low employment rates amongst the youth, inequality and potential
avenues to tackle these issues through fairer policies and encouragement of foreign
investment. Minister Yonis showcased Somaliland to world leaders, and presented
our nation’s achievements including the peace and stability enjoyed here and its
economic development potential to new investors.
This marked a momentous moment for Somaliland’s relationship with South Africa
both on personal and economical levels.
Other achievements under Minister Yonis’ leadership at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation include drafting Somaliland’s first Foreign
Policy and Recognition Seeking Strategy presented to the Presidency.
Spearheading Somaliland’s first Investment Conference co-hosted by the UK
Government held in London 2014, which showcased Somaliland’s investment
potential to a large number of European investors.
Leading a high-level delegation comprising Minister of National Planning and
Development, Dr. Sa’ad A. Shire, and former Foreign Minister, Dr. Edna Adan, to
Brussels for the first Somaliland Recognition Conference at the European
Parliament in January 2015. Minister Yonis and the delegation met senior Members
of the European Parliament, officials from the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and
European media outlets to present Somaliland’s achievements and case for
international recognition.
The Minister attended the African Development Bank’s Annual Meeting in May 2015,
which was celebrating the Bank’s 50th anniversary and hosting the election for the
new President of the Bank. This was the first time Somaliland was represented at
the African Development Bank. Minister Yonis met a number of high-level officials
including Heads of State during his trip to Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He also secured
several million dollars worth of funding from the Bank for water projects for
Somaliland, with potential support for energy and infrastructure.
In an attempt to address the impact of the large number of refugees traveling to
Somaliland to escape the civil war in Yemen, Minister Yonis met senior officials at
UNHCR in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the Yemen refugee crisis and its impact
on Somaliland. The first Minister to engage the leadership of UNHCR in Geneva to
highlight the difficulties caused by the large influx of refugees, Minister Yonis was
able to obtain greater support for Somaliland.
Minister Yonis has been instrumental in strengthening relations between Somaliland
and Ethiopia. He orchestrated the first visit by a large Ministerial delegation from
Ethiopia, including the Minister of Finance and Economic Development and the
Minister of Transport, to Somaliland in November 2014 and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs under his leadership facilitated Somaliland’s participation in the first
International Trade Fair held in Addis Ababa. Minister Yonis has been at the forefront
of trade negotiations with Ethiopia, including development and use of Berbera Port;
reduce trade barriers for Somaliland’s private sector to enter the Ethiopia market;
and securing cheaper electricity into Somaliland. On the social sector, the Ministry
secured a large number of scholarships to Somaliland students provided by Ethiopia
in significantly larger numbers than under previous administrations.
Minister Yonis has strengthened relations with many countries through formal and
informal meetings with senior Government officials including Kenya, Ethiopia,
Turkey, Egypt, U.A.E, Norway, Belgium, Ireland, U.K. and many more. He has
continued to raise Somaliland’s profile and achievements through interviews with
leading media outlets including CNBC Africa, NRK Norway, Sky News, CNN, KTN
Kenya, and the Guardian. One cannot buy this type of exposure; it’s through hard
work and determination and above all belief in his great nation’s potential that drives
Minister Yonis to work tirelessly for his people and aim high in presenting
Somaliland’s case to the international community.
The Minister’s immense efforts for international recognition should not be
overlooked. He is often criticized of travelling frequently but as Foreign Minister his
obligations consist of forming strong, noteworthy and sustainable alliances with
foreign countries, and this cannot be obtained sitting behind a desk in Hargeisa.
However, Minister Yonis’ overall reputation within Somaliland is a respectable one,
he is seen as a humble, educated and dedicated man, who’s years of hard work
have now been invested in his country. He is worthy of our gratitude and our
continuous support in his future endeavors. The number of firsts achieved during his
short period as Minister indicate the great potential that Minister Yonis still yields and
with his continued efforts, Somaliland’s aspirations for international recognition is
much closer to becoming a reality.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation
info@slforeign.com
www.slforeign.com
Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland
23rd Oct, 2015