House of Commons Dinner reception for the Africa Asia Foundation

House of Commons Dinner reception for the Africa Asia Foundation. Guest of Honour- Minister of State Alan Duncan MP, with Len Tiahlo seated to the Minister' right, present to raise the matter of the Somaliland Development Corp and the request for DFID to support the process for appointment of Somalilander based Trustees. 

Hon Edna Adan Ismail on TEDx Conference in Geneva

An introduction to Hon Edna Adan Ismail:

Hon Edna Adan Nominated Founder Trustee of the Somaliland Development Corporation(SDC) and founder of Edna Adan University Hospital .



Youtube video on TEDx conference in Geneva, Switzerland, where Dr Edna Adan was invited to speak about ways to improve women’s health in developing countries

  Below a picture of Hon Edna Adan knighted by France:

Hon. Edna Adan  receives French Legion of Honor

Africa conference: Somaliland and new frontiers for Africa held in Brussels, Belgium,"25th May 2012

Speech by Len Tiahlo, Co-Founder and Secretary of the "SDC:

Honourable Parliamentarians , distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, at the invitation of Lady Edna Adan, I have come here with the thought that you will be interested in the recent creation of the Somaliland Development Corporation - the “SDC”.

The Honourable Alun Michael MP noted in (the UK Parliament) early this February that foreign investors face uncertainty about whether contracts – the basis of secure business – can be enforced…The point of the SDC is to establish an entity to circumvent this problem…..and to be able to underpin some of the potential for business development and trade with Somaliland, which is difficult at present. The SDC will therefore be part of the process to better integrate Somaliland into the international community.

Later in the month, the SDC was launched in the margins of the UK Somalia Conference, on 22nd February in the Westminster Parliament Jubilee Room.

President Silanyo, his Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Planning attended in the presence of Henry Bellingham, UK Minister of State for Africa, Parliamentarians and investor interested guests.

The SDC is designed to encourage private sector investment into Somaliland, giving all the protections that would normally come with investing in a sovereign state and doing so in an open and accountable way.


More details can be found on the www.somaliland1960.blogspot.co.uk

The Somaliland Development Corporation - a public Information note from the Secretary 16th April 2012

The Somaliland Development Corporation


A note from the SDC Secretary, Len Tiahlo, (16th April 2012) for general distribution following the public launch on 22nd February 2012 in the Jubilee Room – Westminster. London.

The launch ceremony.

The launch of the Corporation on the 22nd February was hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Committee led by its Chairman the Rt Hon Alun Michael MP and in the presence of the Minister for Africa, the Rt Hon Henry Bellingham MP.

Somaliland was represented by H.E. President Ahmed Mohammed Silanyo with First Lady Amina Haji Mohamud Jirde (Amina Waris). Foreign Minister Hon. Dr Mohammed Abdillahi Omar, Minister of Planning Hon. Dr. Sa'ad Shire and other dignitaries.

The Invitation list ( see attachment item 1) included representatives from nearby and interested States and potential investor interests.

As the Hon Alun Michael MP succinctly put it in the  House of Commons  Chamber,  “The Corporation has been established because of the lack of recognition that makes involvement in international trade and business difficult…. Despite its extraordinary achievements in stability and democracy, international donors cannot deal directly with its Government, and foreign investors face uncertainty about whether contracts—the basis of secure business—can be enforced…. The point of the Corporation is to facilitate international investment in Somaliland and economic interaction for the benefit of the Somaliland people.”

Also the reader is invited to visit the Internet Somaliland1960 blog site where the early foundation videos for the SDC set out the need for a Trustee Ownership Structure for the long-term benefit of the people of Somaliland and interests of sound business investors.  The site also includes news updates and answers to frequently asked questions.
Please visit:
http://somaliland1960.blogspot.co.uk


The Corporation’s present status.

Following the Launch, The Corporation presently exists as the UK registered Donor based entity.
This is the driving vehicle for establishing the SDC’s financial foundation, for the appointment of Trustees,  the development of already defined projects and the incorporation of an Investor based entity to attract the transformational potential of major private equity players and sound international businesses.

The Corporation’s Directors are Myles Wickstead CBE, formerly the British Ambassador to Ethiopia, Jeremy Carver CBE, formerly Head of International Law at Clifford Chance and Dr Rashid Hassan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Development. The Board has already initiated its search and selection process for Trustees and has co-opted eminent Somalilanders Dr Edna Adan and Dr Sa’ad Shire as Founder Trustees to work as the Trustee Search Team on the selection process with Dr Rashid Hassan having already provided an initial list of prospective candidates, with the whole purpose being the appomtment of a  set of Trustees that has the support of the Government, the Somaliland Parliament and Elders of Somaliland Society.
(Extracts of the UK registered Corporation’s Articles of association are provided in attachment 2.)

The Board will complement the Somalilander appointed Trustees with two additional Appointments from the international community.

The whole purpose of the Trustees is to ensure adherence  with
a) the World Bank Anti Corruption guidelines and
b)  the Corporation’s code of practice with principles no less stringent than those called for by the Private Infrastructure Development Group;
so that  high standards of disclosure shall be consistently applied to Donors, Investors and the Somaliland Community at large, with the objective of achieving value for money and promotion of long term good governance.

At the Donor Company Level, the present Directors will retire once a new qualified Board is selected which will include the ex officio appointment from the Ministry  of Planning.  In addition the Investor Company Directorship will include the ex officio appointment from the Ministry of  Finance.

Background information on the current Directors and Secretary is provided in Attachment 3. 

                        The Somaliland Development Corporation - Structure

In-Country Workshop

Incubation work on an agreed project slate will start after the holding of an In-Country Workshop,  scheduled to take place as soon as possible in Hargeisa. The workshop will allow the SDC the opportunity to give  presentations - to the President, Council of Ministers, both Houses of the Somaliland Parliament and the local business community -   about the role the Corporation will play in promoting economic growth and prosperity in Somaliland and to introduce potential Investor representatives.  This occasion would also provide the Directors and our co-opted local team of Dr Edna Adan and Dr Sa’ad Shire with face-to-face dialogue with potential local Somalilander Trustees and prospective Board Directors to replace as soon as possible the current entirely Pro Bono Director team of Myles Wickstead and Jeremy Carver.


The SDC team plans also invite Workshop participation by available members of the All Party Parliamentary Group and to bring with them representatives from sound business interests and its banking partner, Crown Agents Banking.


Attachment One
 
Invitation List for the launch of the Somaliland Development Corporation , 22nd Feb 2012

From Somaliland

H.E. President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud – Silanyo and First Lady  AminaWeris Sheikh Mohamed Jirde.
Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamed Abdillahi Omar 
Private Secretary of the President – Mr. Ali Ahmed
         
From the Foreign and Commonwealth Office  

Minister for Africa, Rt Hon Henry Bellingham MP
Senior Liaison Officer for Somaliland (the former UK Ambassador to Ethiopia) , Gordon Weatherell
UK Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Gregg Dorey
UK Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Matt Baugh
Somaliland & Puntland Desk Officer, Ms Saikat Dutta,              

From DFID

Mr. Jon Hargreaves DFID Lead in Nairobi 
Ms Joy Hutcheon  Bilateral Geographical Director-


From the APPG and other Parliamentarians

Rt Hon Alun Michael MP and Rt Hon Tony Baldry and to include some of the APPG members:

Lord Avebury
Sir Peter Bottomley
R Hon Gary Streeter MP
Duke of Montrose Montrose
Rt Hon Laurence Robertson MP
Rt Hon Mark Williams MP
Rt Hon Mark Simmonds MP
Rt Hon Jenny Willott MP
Lord McColl of Dulwich
Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP
Rt Hon Clive Betts MP
Rt Hon Mark Hendrick
Lord Anderson of Swansea
Rt Hon Luciana Berger MP
Rt Hon Stephen Pound
Rt Hon Rushanara Ali MP
Rt Hon Paul Blomfield MP
Rt Hon Paul Flynn MP
Rt  Hon Martin Horwood MP, Chair of the LibDem International Affairs Committee 
Baroness Lindsay Northover,  International Affairs Interests on behalf of H.M.G. – House of Lords

From interested State representatives, Ethiopia, S Sudan, UAE

Ethiopia , HE Ambassador Berhanu Kebede
South Africa HE  Henry Nkosi, First Secretary, High Commission for the Republic of South Africa,
South Sudan – UK representative Mr. Paul Akaro
Uganda - HE Ambassador to UK
Ghana – HE Ambassador Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo
U.A.E.  - H.E. Ambassador in London -   Ambassador’s PA
 
From the Founding members of the UK registered Somaliland Development Corporation Limited:

Director and Somaliland Minister of State Dr Mohamed-Rashid  Sheikh Hassan  
Somaliland Minister of Planning Dr Saad Shire  
Director Jeremy Carver
Director Myles Wickstead 
SDC Founder, Secretary Len Tiahlo
Paul Whiteway – Independent Diplomat
Ms Lulu Todd  - SIRAG
 
From Partners with the Somaliland Development Corporation

Crown Agents - Banking Services,  Director Jeremy Taylor 

Persons nominated as potential Trustees, Directors

Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Ciro) - Chairman of Somaliland Parliament -
Dr Edna Ismail

Leaders of Political Parties of Somaliland

Muse Bihi Abdi – Leader of the Kulmiye Party 
Faisal Ali Warabe – Leader of the UCID Party
Mohamed Yasin – Vice Chair of the UDUB Party

Somalilander Business Delegates:

Mohamoud Hassan Ismail 
Mr.Ibrahim  Abdirahman,
Abdikarim Ahmed Awed – Wales Somaliland Community Chairman,
Mr. Ibrahim Arab Jama – Deputy Director Somali Advice Centre
Anwar Aden Mohamed  

Invited Business Guests

Lord Oxford
David Jamison –co-founder of VITOL
Charles Tryon –co Founder and Managing Partner of Maris Capital
Henry Obi - Chief Operating Officer of Helios Investment Partners LLP
Mohammed Yusef Chairman / CEO Invicta capital
Tony Worthington – former MP and member of the APPG -
Sir Eldryd Parry – co founder of THET
Michael Kariya, London Attorney Blake Cassels Graydon LLP
Hans Holmen, Exec Director of The Coller Private Equity Institute, London  Business School.
 Ms Salma Sheikh – Leader of West London Somaliland Professionals –
Abdirahman Awliyo, Chair of the European Somaliland Soc.
Abdirashid Duale  - Chief Executive Dahabshiil

From Somaliland Media

Ahmed Kadleye
Khadar Ali

From International Media 

Reuters Bill MacLean for Adrian Croft   


Attachment Two

Extracts from the Articles of Association of the UK registered Somaliland Development Corporation (Limited by Guarantee)


The  Articles of Association include the following objects  for which the Donor Company was established:
1)      To be an internationally and legally recognized entity whereby resources will be channeled and agreements made in a contractually  enforceable manner, under a system of supervision that ensures transparency and full accountability to both Donors and recipient parties all for and on behalf of the people of Somaliland.
2)      Both the Trustees and members of the corporations’ management Board shall adhere to the following operating principles:
     2a) The World Bank Anti Corruption guidelines;
     2b) Compliance with the Code and spirit of principles no less stringent than those outlined by the Private Infrastructure Development Group’s (PIDG) documentation as has been provided to the Company.
3)      High standards of disclosure to Donors shall be consistently applied with the objective of achieving value for money and promotion of good governance.
4)      The Company has a primary mission for supporting key infrastructure and inclusive development projects within Somaliland.
5)      The income and property of the Company shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Company. The Directors undertake to ensure no profit from the Company is paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise to the members of the Company.

Attachment 3. The Founders of the Corporation.

The Pro Bono Founders of the SDC, having now established and publicly launched the entity, now seek to complete the process of selecting and appointing the Trustees of the Corporation and to assist in their selection and appointment of Directors of the Donor and Investor wholly owned subsidiaries.

Myles Wickstead CBE

Myles is a Founding Director of the SDC Corporation.
Myles has a long and distinguished history of involvement in development work in Africa. Formerly British Ambassador to Ethiopia, 2000 to 2004, then Head of the Secretariat for the Commission for Africa at the time of the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland in 2005, when the focus was on Africa and climate change. Previously based in Nairobi between 1993 and 1997, he headed the British Government’s Development Division in Eastern Africa and oversaw development programmes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. He co-ordinated the 1997 Government White Paper on ‘Eliminating World Poverty: A Challenge for the 21st Century; served on the board of the World Bank in Washington DC between 1997 and 2000. In the 2006 New Year Honours list, Myles  was appointed a CBE.


Jeremy Carver CBE

Jeremy is a Founder and Director of the SDC Corporation.
Jeremy Carver has more than 37 years experience as an international lawyer with Clifford Chance LLP, where he was a partner in London for 30 years. He has represented and advised many states and governments in boundary disputes, treaties, investments and development.

Jeremy first trained as a Petroleum Engineer before deciding to train and practice law, rising to become a Partner and Head of International Law at Clifford Chance. Jeremy remains a Consultant to Clifford Chance and is President of the British branch of the International Law Association, a Board Member of Transparency International, Berlin, Co-Chair of the International Rescue Commission UK., a leading humanitarian agency.


Dr Mohamed-Rashid Sheikh Hassan

Dr Hassan is a Founder and Director of the SDC Corporation.
Dr Mohamed Rashid Sheikh Hassan is Somaliland’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
He worked on the Somalia Desk of the BBC  World Service, and studied Political Science and Social Anthropology at London University, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He was the Vice Chairman of the UCID Political party of Somaliland.

Len Tiahlo

Len Tiahlo is a Founder and Secretary of the SDC Corporation.
Having graduated in Chemical Engineering, Len worked with Anglo American Corp in Zambia before returning to the UK and Norway to consult on Oil and Gas development projects in the North Sea. He later became part of the ARCO International Inc’s Los Angeles based Investment Approvals and Mergers and Acquisition team with an active record including BRITOIL and Tricentrol. Len’s plus 30 years of experience in oil and gas asset evaluation and business development included a 2003 scouting mission to Ethiopia where the then British Ambassador Myles Wickstead introduced Len and his Investor Group, including legal advisory by Jeremy Carver, to Somaliland. 

Somaliland’s progress on governance: A case of blending the old and the new

The collapse of the unified Somali state under General Mohammed Siyad Barre in 1991 after protracted civil war left in its wake widespread dislocation, death and destruction. Yet despite the chaos in southern and central Somalia, the northwest region of Somaliland has achieved the type of progress in governance to which the rest of Somalia can only aspire. This former British protectorate has been defined by a relative peace and calm and the development of an emerging set of state institutions. Somaliland has developed its own structures and systems of governance, drawing on elements of a kin-based system that provided the organising structure for social, economic and political activity during centuries of nomadic pastoralist history...

Source:   Develoment Progress.org 
Link: Somaliland’s progress on governance: A case of blending the old and the new

 

FCO: President Silanyo of Somaliland speaks at the London Conference on Somalia

listen to ‘President Silanyo of Somaliland speaks at the London Conference on Somalia’ on Audioboo

President Silanyo mentions in this speech" Attracting foreign direct investment is critical for the future prosperity of Somaliland that is why we’ve launched yesterday the Somaliland Development Corporation here in London to facilitate international investment in Somaliland".

Somaliland Development Corporation discussed in the House of Parliament

9 Feb 2012 : Column 509

House of Commons

Thursday 9 February 2012

2.25 pm

Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op):

My second point is that I know that the Minister has already welcomed one initiative, namely the establishment of the Somaliland Development Corporation. It is being established because of the lack of recognition that makes involvement in international trade and business difficult. It will be launched on 22 February, the day before the conference, which Ministers will host. The point of the corporation is to facilitate international investment in Somaliland and economic interaction for the benefit of the Somaliland people. As an unrecognised state, it is isolated. Despite its extraordinary achievements in stability and democracy, international donors cannot deal directly with its Government, and foreign investors face uncertainty about whether contracts—the basis of secure business—can be enforced. The point of the corporation is to establish an entity to circumvent that problem. Indeed, I hope that it might lead the Foreign Office, through our trade arrangements, to be able to underpin some of the potential for business development and trade with Somaliland, which is difficult at present.

The development corporation will deal with donors such as Governments, aid agencies and international financial institutions; individuals, including enhancing the contribution that is made by many members of the Somaliland diaspora, as the Foreign Secretary rightly said; philanthropists and foundations; and foreign companies that wish to invest for profit. The founding directors are co-operating with the Crown Agents on the provision of banking services, and the intention is to develop a business plan with aims and objectives in the short, medium and longer term that will be available on the corporation’s website. The plan would be influenced by the development priorities of the Somaliland Government, the decisions of the two boards and the Somaliland development corporation trust. The launch on 22 February will show the confidence of the Somaliland Government in engaging with business and economic development as well as being a participant at the table at the conference.

I greatly applaud the Foreign Secretary for initiating the conference. By acknowledging that Somaliland’s participation is a positive way of coming into the international community, I hope that the UK Government’s lead in these matters will be acknowledged in return.

I hope that the Minister will cover some of these points in his response. I return to my initial point and congratulate the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for International Development and the Minister not just on this initiative but on their personal commitment to making it work. I hope they achieve success.

Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con):

The example of Somaliland has demonstrated that, when left to themselves, Somalis can form a viable nation state.”

I am therefore delighted that President Silanyo is coming to the London conference. It is excellent that UK initiatives are being taken by the voluntary and other sectors to set up a Somaliland development corporation, so that we here can give Somaliland whatever help we can with investment and job creation.

Alun Michael: The hon. Gentleman is making a very good point. Of course, economic development is also important for long-term stability. Does he agree that we must find mechanisms to allow investment in Somaliland in the absence of recognition, in order to make sure that what is a successful self-governing area—or independent country, if that is one’s view—is not penalised? The people of Somaliland should not be penalised in respect of economic development.

Martin Horwood: The right hon. Gentleman makes an extremely important point, one I was going to address in due course. He has highlighted the importance of the establishment of the Somaliland Development Corporation, and I certainly welcome that.

I also particularly welcome one of the four priorities DFID has identified for its development programme. It says that it will “boost wealth creation through supporting investment climate reform, skills development and job creation.”

It is essential that we help young Somalis to prosper. In some respects, promoting economic development may seem like a hopeless task, but we must seize all opportunities to help to increase prosperity.

It may seem even more hopeless to talk about the prospects for tourism, but a former diplomat has told me that Somaliland is a relatively peaceful and prosperous country that is safe for visitors and apparently has beautiful beaches. If it was recognised and had the status of a separate country, and then began, as it were, to build its brand separately from Somalia and the areas still affected by war and conflict, Somaliland could become quite a positive economic development story, and tourism could be a key sector. We must seek out opportunities to help Somaliland to develop. It is absolutely right that 40% of DFID’s development aid is focused on Somaliland and that we are taking steps such as establishing the Somaliland Development Corporation, because that example of prosperity and stability could send a very powerful message in the region.

Mr Bellingham

This is an important conference for President Silanyo. He has been invited to take part. We feel strongly that this is a conference to which the Somalilanders can contribute. They can tell the rest of Somalia what they have done to build stability, what has worked in their free and fair elections, and why they are a good development partner for the UK. His decision is a brave one and the right one.

My hon. Friend the Member for Banbury asked me whether Somaliland’s position will be enhanced by attending. I believe that it will. President Silanyo will have a chance to speak. He will talk not about independence for Somaliland, but about what Somaliland can do to enhance the peace process in Somalia and about what is happening on his doorstep. By coming on to the international stage, he will meet a large number of international statesmen and Heads of State. He will be able to explain to them what he has done that has worked in Somaliland and why it has been so successful. I take on board what my hon. Friend said about the Somaliland development corporation and the role of the private sector.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120209/debtext/120209-0002.htm