on the recognition of somaliland, somaliland should be rewarded for the relative stability that it has established and the fact that it has become the most democratic entity in the horn of africa. but i think any decision on the recognition of somaliland should be led by the africans, either the african union collectively, or individual african countries. and finally, i'd like to make a plea for greater consideration of regional economic integration in the area. i think this is a long-term goal that has major implications for the future. somalia is one of the most conflicted countries in the world, has been for a long time. i think if it's possible to identify ways to increase regional economic integration for all of the horn countries and the east african countries, it has the potential to mitigate significantly of conflict in this part of africa. and i would thank you very much, mr. chairman, for hearing my views. >> mr. shinn, thank you very much for your testimony and for your service. let me just is ask a few questions. um, you mentioned, dr. murphy, that there are some 400 hostag

the state department has said it will not recognize somaliland, but has commended progress of somaliland and. -- puntland. this will allow a more effective dialogue. -- inasking panelists deference of time, i will conclude that we do have a problem with the 1/4 of the country's population that is either with a jeep or internally displaced. nearly 100,000 people have fled -- that are either refugees in or internally displaced. i look forward to hearing from our witnesses. with that, i will yield back the balance of my time. >> the thank you -- >> bernanktk you. >> in working with donald payne in that capacity over these years, his willingness to speak out was always very impressive. i know he has to leave sometime today to speak out in terms of the situation in south sudan. we were actually on a deal in africa when we got the word that he had done two things. one, he had had a press conference and minutes later his plane was mortared as he was flying out of town. it was because he was willing and has been willing to speak out, and because of you, mr. chairman, that we have got some light

along with special long voyage on yates i traveled to of the autonomous region of somaliland. we met with government officials as well as local and international non-governmental associations. while there we met with the president who expressed his concern over the field of training and loss of livestock and the need for assistance while also expressing deep thanks to the united states for our response and continued assistance. i also spoke with the civil society leader who said we are seeing the end of the past life style as we know it. with a drop in the conflict, continued lack of water in the pasture we are seeing nomads migrating increasingly to the urban areas including to the parts of somaliland and the point land adding stranger and already stressed situation. the impact of the drought on the people in somalia's most vividly illustrated in the refugee camps in ethiopia and kenya as a result in an inability to get into other parts of somalia i visited the refugee camp in kenya and talked to several families who have lost all of their livestock or sold their land, had no