- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ADV) – Ethiopian Prime minister Abiy Ahmed is
awaiting a European Union input to boost reconciliation initiative
between Somalia and Somaliland, ADV learns here Sunday.
Last week, delegates from several EU countries visited Hargeisa and held a discussion with Somaliland leader on the prospects of a dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland and the way forward.
Last week, delegates from several EU countries visited Hargeisa and held a discussion with Somaliland leader on the prospects of a dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland and the way forward.
The delegates’ meeting stems from the efforts by the Ethiopian Premier
Aby Ahmed to reconcile Somalia and the self-proclaimed republic of
Somaliland in a bid to bolster peace in the Horn of Africa.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia during the protracted war that
erupted after the death of Said Barré, the founder of present-day
Somalia and the advent of several armed groups including Al-Shabaab with
the intent to create an Islamic state.
This complex politico-military situation has drawn the interests of
superpowers into the Somali political landscape and compounded the
situation.
With the advent of Aby Ahmed’s administration, he has vowed to install
peace throughout the Horn of Africa with a focus on the
Somali-Somaliland conflict as well as the Ethiopian-Eritrean crisis that
has known some success.
Speaking last week at Jigjiga town during a meeting with the leaders of
Ethio-Somali regional state, Abiy underscored that he will work on
missions to stabilize horn of African region.
“Acting on your call last year about the issue of Somalia and
Somaliland, my government started efforts to broker dialogue between
Somalia and Somaliland. The two sides are vital development and security
of the region,” said PM Abiy.
Aby’s remarks come barely a month after Somaliland leader, and Muse Bihi
Abdi visited Addis Ababa following an invitation by the Ethiopian
government.
The sides discussed regional peace and integration, in addition to bilateral ties, sources told ADV.
Bihi had acknowledged Abiy’s efforts to consolidate regional integration
and accepted the premier’s call to further strengthen the close working
relationship between the Somaliland Administration and Federal
Government of Somalia.
After the meeting between Somaliland leader and PM Abiy, Somali
government applauded Somaliland’s president Bihi for his cooperation.
It was following that meeting that it was agreed that Somalia and
Somaliland would resume talks after input from the European Union which
is backing the Somalia-Somaliland peace and reconciliation process.
In 2014, the Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland signed another
accord following three-day talks moderated by the Turkish Foreign
Ministry.
The two sides agreed on the continuation of the talks facilitated by
Turkey but a month later Somaliland rescinded its decision and accused
Turkey of supporting Somalia against Somaliland.
© Bur-csa – A.H – N.A / From our regional correspondent Tamba Jean-Matthew III – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_eng
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