Somali authorities and the breakaway region of Somaliland have agreed to resume negotiations to resolve outstanding issues, after years of political tensions and blockages.
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The agreement was signed on Friday December 29 after two days of talks mediated by Djiboutian President Ismaël Omar Guelleh, the first of this kind since the failure of the last discussions in 2020.
“ After extensive discussions, both sides agreed to resume the negotiation process (…) focusing on issues of national interest in order to achieve a lasting solution », Indicate the two parties in a press release published by the Somali presidency.
A former British territory, Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, when the country was plunging into chaos from which it has still not emerged. Although it has its own institutions, Somaliland has never seen its independence recognized by the international community.
The Djibouti agreement provides for the establishment of a road map for talks within 30 days, as well as collaboration on security issues and against organized crime, and the commitment to work jointly to peace and stability in conflict zones.
The signing of the agreement was overseen by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Somaliland leader, Muse Bihi Abdi.
(With AFP)
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