SOPRI announces its re-launch
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Somaliland Policy and Reconstruction Institute (SOPRI) has officially re-launched on Friday May 18th at the 2012 Somaliland Conference in Washington DC hosted by the US-Somaliland Ambassador, Rashid Garuf. The organization went inactive after the death of founder and former chairman, Sa’eed Maygag, in 2008.
Now over 4 years later SOPRI’s new executive committee is proud to announce its re-launch. SOPRI is an independent professional organization founded in Los Angeles, California in 1992 by a group of concerned Somalilanders who were deeply committed to help Somaliland. SOPRI is one of Somaliland’s most renowned organizations internationally. Up until SOPRI initially formed there was no organized or institutionalized political action or lobbying efforts conducted in favor of Somaliland’s interests and its desire to be recognized as a sovereign and independent state. With this re-launch SOPRI hopes to again be the leader and the voice for Somaliland’s goals and aspirations in the diaspora. At the 2012 Somaliland Conference where SOPRI announced its re-launch, the new committee set up a table signing up over a 100+ new members and selling SOPRI t-shirts. They also sponsored the Youth Panel at the conference.
SOPRI’s Mission:
1. To advocate, promote and support the desires of the people of Somaliland to have full rights to political and economic self-determination and to articulate their aspirations to gain independent statehood and recognition by the international community as a sovereign and independent state.
2. Promote and cultivate the building of democratic institutions and representative government and respect for human rights in Somaliland.
3. Solicit technical, material, manpower and minority reconstruction aid from the international donor community for rehabilitating and rebuilding Somaliland’s devastated physical infrastructure.
4. Foster long term economic development of Somaliland through the development and utilization of its indigenous natural and human resources by attracting foreign capital and international trade.
“SOPRI laid out an ambitious agenda, which was to promote international recognition for Somaliland, help build democratic institutions as well as capacity building for the public sector and to seek financial assistance for the country.” Adan H. Iman (Former SOPRI Committee Member)
The new executive committee wants to get as many people as possible involved in joining us to help grow this organization. Together we can make a difference. Make sure to sign up on our website to become an official SOPRI member. We are also kindly accepting donations. For any questions or concerns feel free to contact us.
Contact:
Website: http://sopri-international.org/
Twitter: @sopri92
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SOPRI91
E-mail: sopri.organization@gmail.com
