France Extends Official Invite to President Silanyo

Hargeisa, May, 22 (SDN) -Visiting French envoy to Kenya, Somaliland and Somalia Ambassador Etienne De Poncins has invited President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo to embark on an official visit to France. The invitation came after the in-coming French envoy to Kenya, Somaliland and Somalia Ambassador Etienne De Poncins met president at the presidency in Hargeisa where he had presented his credentials to the President. “Your Excellency I hereby extend an official invitation for talks with the highest levels of authority in Paris whenever your schedule allows” said Ambassador Etienne De Poncins during his meeting with Somaliland president.  According to Amb De Poncins who is the first full-fledged Ambassador both to Somaliland and Somalia in 25 years , this is the first direct engagement with both countries and that the French republic has a lot of interests in Somaliland be it political or commercial. “Apart from economic interests in Somaliland from French companies, the government of France intent’s to enhance Cultural exchange such as promoting the French language, economic development, bilateral and political relations with Somaliland,” the French Ambassador said. The visit by the French ambassador comes a day after another high level one made by the EU ambassador to Somalia and Somaliland in which the EU informed of its continued interaction with Somaliland directly. Analysts say that the recent flurry of activities seen in the country from western authorities is a direct result of boycotting the Somalia conference held in London on 7th may as well as the banning of UN flights after UNDP handed over this country’s airspace management to the Mogadishu based government.

By: Eng. Abdirisak Ismail Qalinle (Itaqile)

SDN News Desk Hargeisa