http://www.yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/Sheffield-Recognises-Somalilands-Independence
On Wednesday 2 April, Sheffield City Council voted to pass a motion recognising Somaliland's right to self-determination, and calling on "the British government to recognise Somaliland as an independent state and to encourage other governments around the world to do the same."The historic debate was tabled by Councillor Mohammad Maroof who yesterday received over 2,000 signatures from the Somaliland community in Sheffield, petitioning the council to support recognition. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland, the country's most senior statesman aside from the President, Mohamed Bihi Yonis spoke in the Council Chamber, "Somaliland is a peaceful, democratic nation, which has been striving to be recognised by the international community since declaring independence in 1991. Sheffield's decision will help strengthen our campaign for recognition." Councillor Neale Gibson (Lab) noted that "Somaliland fulfils all the criteria for statehood required by international law. A permanent population. A defined territory. A government. And the capacity to enter into relations with other states." Councillor Ben Curran (Lab) said "We hope that Sheffield's support is just the first step to helping Somaliland fulfil its right to self-determination." Councillor Julie Dore (Lab) said "We fundamentally believe in Somaliland's right to self-determination." The Energy Minister of Somaliland Hussein Abdi Dualeh thanked local Labour MPs Paul Blomfield and Clive Betts as well as City Councillors for their support of Somaliland's independence. Somaliland sees this as an important, breakthrough moment for their campaign to be recognised as an independent nation by the international community. Their Independence Day will be celebrated around the world on 18 May. On Friday, 4 April, Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield will be speaking at ISRAAC, the Somali Community and Cultural Association, in support of Somaliland's case for recognition. 中文译文：
谢菲尔德市议会（2014年）4月2日星期三投票通过一项承认索马里兰自决权的议案，并呼吁英国政府承认索马里兰为独立国家，同时鼓励世界其他国家政府这样做。
昨天由Mohammad Maroof议员提交了
历史性的辩论，他昨天在谢菲尔德索马里兰社区收到了2000多份签名，请求理事会支持承认。
索马里兰外长穆罕默德·比耶·扬尼斯在议会会议厅中发言称，索马里兰是一个和平，民主的国家，自1991年宣布独立以来一直争取得到国际社会的承认。谢菲尔德的决定将有助于加强我们的独立运动。
议员尼尔吉布森（工党）指出，“索马里兰满足国际法要求的所有国家标准，固定的
人口，明确的
领土范围，一个政府，以及与其他国家建立关系的能力”。
议员本·柯兰（工党）说：“我们希望谢菲尔德的支持只是帮助索马里兰国实现自决权的第一步。”
议员朱莉•多尔（工党）说：“我们从根本上相信索马里兰的自决权。”
索马里兰能源部长侯赛因·阿卜迪·迪耶赫（Hassse Abd Dualeh）感谢当地劳工部长保罗·布洛姆菲尔德（Paul Blomfield），克莱夫·贝茨（Clive Betts）以及市议员对索马里兰独立的支持。
索马里兰认为这是国际社会承认为独立国家的运动的重要突破时刻。他们的独立日定为5月18日，全球各地均有庆祝。
4月4日（星期五），谢菲尔德中央议会议长保罗·布洛姆菲尔德将在索马里社区
文化协会ISRAAC发言，以支持承认索马里兰的议案。
Somaliland has a strong legal case for recognition as an independent nation state, underpinned by historical precedent and the overwhelming support of the people of Somaliland who voted for independence in 2001. Somaliland was once part of the British Empire, joining with Italian ruled Somalia after gaining its independence in 1960. As Somalia disintegrated into chaos in the late 1980s Somaliland decided to re-establish its independence in 1991.
Over the past two decades Somaliland has worked hard to create an island of peace in an otherwise difficult region. Functioning state institutions have been put in place; since 2000 five national elections have been held; free primary education has been introduced for boys and girls; progress is being made to reduce child mortality and female genital mutilation.
Somalilanders have been settling in the UK for over a century, residing mainly in city ports such as London, Cardiff and Bristol. As part of the empire, Somaliland contributed to both the WW1 and WW2 efforts. Following WW2 many Somalilanders came to Sheffield to work, often in the steel industry, which was facing labour shortages.
Further history on Somaliland's case for international recognition can be found here:
http://recognition.somalilandgov.com/history承认索马里兰为一个独立的
民族国家是一个强有力的法律案例，由历史先例和2001年投票赞成独立的索马里兰
人民压倒性支持。索马里兰曾经是大英帝国的一部分，1960年
合并于意大利统治的索马里获得独立。由于索马里在1980年代后期分裂成混乱，索马里兰决定在1991年重新独立。
在过去二十年里，索马里兰努力在困难地区建立一个和平的国家。组织机构运作状况良好；自2000年以来举行了五次全国选举，为男女适龄孩童提供免费小学
教育；减少儿童死亡率和切割女性生殖器官的努力正在取得进展。
索马里兰人已经在英国定居了一个多世纪，主要居住在
城市港口，如伦敦，加的夫和布里斯托尔。作为英帝国的一部分，索马里兰对第一次世界大战和二战的努力作出了贡献。第二次世界大战后，许多索马里人来到谢菲尔德，经常在钢铁行业充当劳动力。
有关索马里兰国际认可情况的进一步历史可以在这里找到：
http://recognition.somalilandgov.com/history
