Tuesday, 04 November 2014 18:03
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Amb Joost Reintjes President Silanyo Dutch diplomatic officials and Somaliland planning minister Dr Saad Ali pose at the Presidenyc in Hargeisa on 3rd Nov 2014Amb Joost Reintjes President Silanyo Dutch diplomatic officials and Somaliland planning minister Dr Saad Ali pose at the Presidenyc in Hargeisa on 3rd Nov 2014
By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) - Netherlands and Somaliland have recommitted to prevailing cooperation and partnership on diplomatic and development among other sectors.
This development follows a meeting between the Netherlands envoy to Somalia/Somaliland Ambassador Joost Reintjes and President Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo held at the Somaliland presidency in Hargeisa on 3rd November 2014.
The Dutch envoy is in the country to participate in the just concluded 2 days High Level Aid Coordination forum held in Hargeisa under the auspices of the Somaliland Development Fund-SDF which the Scandinavian country becomes newest donor partner.
"Our visit represents the continued commitment of the Netherlands to provide support to Somaliland. We recognize the efforts the authorities have made and are still making to strengthening governance, and providing basic services to its citizens. We see the SDF as a vehicle to support Somaliland's efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals and support its commitment to ensuring lasting peace, stability and development. We also know it is Somaliland's preferred funding mechanism identified in the Somaliland Special Arrangement."-said Amb Reintjes
The Netherlands Government recently joined the Somaliland Development Fund (SDF), increasing its contribution to development projects in the region. The SDF helps deliver the National Development Plan (2012-2016) and associated Somaliland Special Arrangement. The Fund aims to reduce the fragmentation of development assistance, and give the authorities more ownership over how and where the funds are being spent.
The objective of the multimillion dollar Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) which was originally established jointly by the Governments of Denmark, United Kingdom and Somaliland is to facilitate improved and better resourced core state functions for the people of Somaliland.
The SDF further aims to contribute to stability and prosperity and In order to achieve these goals, it is crucial that citizens receive essential basic services and the authorities engage with their citizens through transparent and accountable mechanisms.
Attributing its partnering the SDF as a determination to help alleviate poverty and ease livelihoods for Somaliland citizens the government in Amsterdam has so far chipped its share of contribution to the development fund.
President Silanyo who thanked the people and Government of Netherlands for the over the years continued support to humanitarian and development activities said that his government is determined in ensuring that citizens benefit fully from the SDF.
Amb Joost arrives at the Somalilad presidency for talks Amb Joost arrives at the Somalilad presidency for talks
Amb Joost Reintjes also addressed the just concluded 2 days and High Level Aid Coordination Forum held at the Ambassador hotel in Hargeisa from 3rd to 4th November which was jointly chaired by the Danish envoy to Somalia/Somaliland Ambassador Aagaard Anderson and Somaliland planning minister Dr Saad Ali Shire.
The 7th High Level Aid Coordination meeting pooled its participants from a wide spectrum of stakeholders that included the UN, Danish, British and Somaliland governments, private sector, Horn regional authority IGAD and several International and local Non Governmental.
Addendum
•By contributing to the Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) donors support Somaliland's development goals. The SDF supports the authorities by funding projects that are fully aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP) 2012 -2016 while at the same time recognizing the role of the Somaliland authorities in the delivery of basic services.
•The Fund supports recurrent and capital costs. The SDF will also support the Somaliland authorities' communication of results to build accountability and transparency. Furthermore, the SDF is designed to strengthen the state-citizenship relationship and enhance accountability and domestic revenue generation.
•Current donors of the fund include DANIDA, DFID, Norway and the Netherlands.
