The new state of Somaliland is located northwest of Somalia, and declared its independence from Somalia after the fall of President Siad Barre in January 1991 (The Indian Ocean Newsletter 22 May 1993, 2; AFA 8 May 1993).

Mohammad Ibrahim Egal was elected president of Somaliland on 5 May 1993 (Indian Ocean Newsletter 22 May 1993, 2). The president was elected by 97 out of 140 votes in the central committee (parliament) of Somaliland (Ibid.; AFP 8 May 1993). The committee is made up of the elders of the country's various ethnic groupsIssak, Gadaboursi, Dulbahante, Warsangali and Issa (AFP 8 May 1993). President Egal belongs to the Issak, which is the majority group (Ibid.). His opponent in the election was Omar Arteh Ghaleb who got 24 votes (The Indian Ocean Newsletter 22 May 1993, 2).

According to The Indian Ocean Newsletter, President Egal's government includes only one minister from the previous government, Daher Warsame (12 June 1993, 4). He is the new defence minister. The other members of the cabinet include the following: President Egal, who also takes charge of foreign affairs, Abdurahman Ali as vice-president, Moussa Bihi (minister of the interior), Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim (commerce and industry minister), Abdillahi Ali Doualeh (finance minister), Mohamed Ali Biyer (justice minister), Daher Mohamed Osman (minister for public works), Mohamed Ali Atteye (minister for mineral resources), Abdi Mohamed Gagaleh (urbanism), Abdurahman Daher (religious affairs), Suleiman Mohamed Aden (education) and Osman Aden Dhool (minister for posts and telecommunications) (Ibid.).

The new government is seeking international aid to disarm civilians as well as the clan-based militias in northwestern Somalia (The Indian Ocean Newsletter 10 July 1993, 2). According to the same source, the new president is looking for foreign assistance to reinforce the new country's police force (he is seeking help to pay for its materiel, uniforms, vehicles and wages). The new president also hopes to enter into a military agreement with a western power which will guarantee his new country's security (Ibid.). France has already been approached for "assistance through military advisers" (Ibid.).

Additional and/or corroborative information on the requested subject could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB in Ottawa.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 8 May 1993. "Mohamed Ibrahim Egal Elected President of Somaliland." (NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 10 July 1993. "Somaliland: Search for Military Guardian." . 12 June 1993. "Somaliland: A Government of Colonels."

. 22 May 1993. "Somaliland: New President."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 8 May 1993. "Mohamed Ibrahim Egal Elected President of Somaliland." (NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 10 July 1993. "Somaliland: Search for Military Guardian," p. 2.

_____. 12 June 1993. "Somaliland: A Government of Colonels," p. 4.

_____. 22 May 1993. "Somaliland: New President," p. 2.