History and Introduction
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation was established on 18 May 1991 when the people of Somaliland declared independence from the union with the country then known as the Somali Republic and regained its sovereignty. The first president of Somaliland, H.E Abdirahman Ahmed Ali (Tuur), was elected in the Burao Grand Conference, and in his first presidential decree, the MoFAIC was included in the executive council of 18 ministers and 4 vice ministers.
The Ministry has since played a major role in building a democratic nation that plays a key role in the region's stability and peace by promoting Somaliland's national interests on the international stage. This ministry has since led in the efforts to push the country's foreign policy by establishing strong diplomatic ties to enhance Somaliland’s international cooperation. With the mandate to lead and coordinate the country’s foreign relations, the MoFAIC’s continuous efforts in partnership with the international community have contributed to the fight against piracy, terrorism, and organized crime in the Horn of Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reflects the bright face and character of Somaliland’s society. It serves as a window to the outside world, communicating the thoughts and vision of Somaliland’s leadership, asserting the values of peaceful co-existence, democracy, and economic growth. With the mission to boost the country’s economic prosperity in mind, the Ministry focuses on the engagement of foreign investors, by promoting Somaliland’s reputation and standing in the international fora.
One of the key focal points of the Ministry is to be the spokesperson for Somaliland’s journey to gain international recognition using the legitimacy of the international legal requirements of an independent country to push the case forward. Although this objective has not yet been accomplished in the last 10 years the case has been receiving a wide range of supporters in influential positions such as members of the UK parliament and previous ambassadors in the USA.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is made up of nine departments that fall directly under the Ministry's structure and mandate. The tenth department, the Counter-Piracy Coordination office, is a semi-autonomous agency that is mandated to bring together a variety of national ministries, institutions and the international community on matters involving the governance of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, both in terms of security and the cultivation of Somaliland’s maritime resource.
VISION
A peaceful, recognized democratic and developed Republic of Somaliland that is politically, economically, and amicably integrated into a prosperous and peaceful international community at Regional, Continental, and global levels.
MISSION
- Promote Somaliland’s national interests and values.
- Secure international recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as a state, and achieve full membership of the United Nations.
- Protect Somaliland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its 26 June 1960 borders.
- Work in partnership with the international community to strengthen peace and stability within its territory, and increase its participation in international efforts aimed at combatting terrorism, piracy, terorism, and organized crime.
- Promote the prosperity of Somaliland by encouraging foreign direct investment, development assistance, and expanded and diversified external trade in line with the National Development Plan Core Values.
CORE VALUES
- Patriotism
- Loyalty
- Dedication
- Dignity Initiative and productive
- Integrity
- Equality
- Congeniality
- Cooperation