THT: “We shall not get tired of reiterating to the world that Somaliland and Somalia have been two separate countries who voluntarily merged in 1960.
this was stated by president Muse Bihi as he addressed a large welcoming committee of citizens that received him and his delegation in Hargeisa upon return from the Consultative Summit on Relations between Somaliland and Somalia in Djibouti.
The president who wondered how the international community continues to bestowed diplomatic recognition, multi-lateral agreements, investment opportunities and the bulk of the aid flow on one part alone, Somalia on behalf of 1960 union that disintegrated in 1991″ said that this unacceptable since it detriments his yet to be recognized country Somaliland.
President Bihi had been in Djibouti for the Consultative summit on relations between somaliland and Somalia hosted by Djibouti with presence of distinguished representatives from various international bodies and governments.
Though the summit which saw a near total breakdown of negotiations at the technical committee level culminated with a five point agreement the at also stipulates a 15 days recess before resumption.
Unveiling the five-point preliminary agreement and the significant progress has been made after hours of misunderstanding between the two main parties, the Djibouti’s foreign affairs minister Mahmoud Ali Yusuf, , announce that “the talks will now start uninterrupted because we’ve solved the contentious issues”.
The five-point preliminary agreement reached by the technical committee and chaired by Djibouti include code of conduct and guidelines to future talks, confidence building, implementation of past agreements, and formation of three subcommittees which would look at aid, airspace, and security which will meet after 15 days.
The Djiboutian added, a joint ministerial committee will meet after 45 days where it is anticipated that it will look at the recommendations from the three sub-committees before coming up with a tangible solution that would guide future relations between the two countries.
the five-point preliminary agreement in Djibouti talks between Somaliland and Somalia
- How to continue holding future meetings in a conducive and meaningful way.
- How to restore mutual trust between the two sides (Confidence building)
- Implementation of past agreements: To implement the provisions agreed upon the previous conferences that were not honored, such as International Financial Assistance and Humanitarian Assistance, a committee has been formed to address the matter and will convene within the next fifteen (15) days in Djibouti.
- The two sides have formed a second committee to discuss air control, which will convene in Djibouti within fifteen days.
- The two sides have formed a third committee to discuss security, which will also convene in Djibouti within fifteen days.
The foreign minister of Somaliland, Yassin Faraton, speaking after the pact signed has said that the talks were a step that both sides took in the right direction.
On the other hand, Somalia’s Interior Minister, Abdi Mohamed Sabrie, said that the Somali government is committed to having a genuine dialogue with Somaliland in a bid to renew the superb ties between Somaliland. He added that the agreement signed shows the commitment of both sides to continue the talks in order to address the essence of the issues that are facing both Somaliland and Somalia.
