Friday, October 25, 2013
A delegation from Ethiopia's Somali Regional
State concluded its visit in Somaliland on Sunday 20 October 2013 where
they made discussions and set workable directions for future cooperation
including on security.
The delegation made discussions with highest officials of a number of
Somaliland institutions including the Somaliland Office of Presidency,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and members of
Ethiopian Somali community residing in Hargeisa.
The discussions were made as part of the agreement reached between
the Government of Ethiopia and Somaliland administration to exchange
regular meetings, exchange views and put in place workable directions
which will help strengthen the overall cooperation between the two
sides.
Other understandings existing between the two sides include extradition of criminals and expansion of trade.
Further negotiations are continuing to sign a more complete and comprehensive trade agreement.
Topics of the discussion included the current security situation in
the region and at common borders and both sides have agreed to maintain
the exchange of frequent visits and the convening of regular meetings at
all levels so as to exchange information, evaluate implementation
performances and define fitting plans based on present and future
situations on the ground.
Accordingly, an understanding has been reached to convene joint
meetings between security experts and police forces at every shortest
possible time.
Other security matters discussed include the importance of exercising
maximum vigilance against common enemies who are trying to hide
themselves among the peaceful and trying to make damage to Somaliland
and infiltrate into Ethiopia to make havoc.
The delegation which noted the reliable and coordinated security
arrangements being put in place to ensure the peaceful celebration of
the approaching Ethiopian Peoples, Nations and Nationalities day in
Jigjiga also briefed the Somaliland side on arrangements requiring their
collaboration as well as communication to their public to be aware of
that.
According to Somalilandsun and Ogaal sources On Eritrea, the
delegation explained about the availability of credible evidences on
Eritrea's continuation of orchestrating anti-Ethiopian plots.
The regime in Eritrea is currently infiltrating trained destabilizing forces into Somaliland and other parts of Somalia.
Among their missions include organizing themselves here and cross
into Ethiopia to create havoc whenever they find any opportunity and
maintaining their support to members of al-shabaab and other extremist
elements that are now becoming the weakest of all the times but still
striving to revive again.
The Ethiopian delegation while noting Ethiopia's strongest capacity
of containing and eliminating any major orchestrations of disruptions at
their earliest stages also pointed out the importance of continuous
follow up and proper information exchange and of taking coordinated
measures against them when deemed necessary.
Discussions with members of Ethiopian Somali community residing in
Hargeisa focused on ways of addressing their challenges and supporting
them to be part of their country's development and renaissance.
The Consulate General office has always been ready in rendering any
possible support and facilitation to the Ethiopian community in
Hargeisa.
As part of its effort to address their challenges, mobilize their
active participation in their country's stability and development and
ensure their benefit, the office is planning to convene a discussion
session with Ethiopian communities residing in Hargeisa and its
surroundings shortly with plans to follow suit in other parts of
Somaliland.
Members of the delegation also exchanged views with staffs of
Ethiopia's Consulate General Office in Hargeisa on Saturday 19th of
October 2013 about the outcomes of the discussions and on the
agreed-upon future directions.
Head of Ethiopia's Consulate General in Hargeisa - Somaliland,
Brigadier General Berhe Tesfay who noted the strong cooperation that
exist between Ethiopia and Somaliland on matters pertaining to security,
infrastructure, trade, investment as well as other political and social
affairs such as education and health also pointed out Ethiopia's
readiness to transform the relation into a strategic partnership.
He said Ethiopia has always been supporting efforts aimed at ensuring
mutual peace, stability and prosperity including in Somaliland.
It has provided and continues to provide
capacity building and other security and political supports to the
Somaliland administration and people.
Ethiopia has also been advocating consistently and pushing the
international community to encourage the peaceful settlement of any
internal outstanding issues on one hand and also to consider special
arrangements of providing development support to regions with relative
peace and stability such as Somaliland in a way whereby mutual
accountability would be ensured.
In light of this, it has been a very welcome development to see the
endorsement by the international community of a Special Arrangement for
Somaliland (SSA) in a meeting held recently in Brussels.
The arrangement would pave the way for the international community to
support the Somaliland National Development Plan through the Somaliland
Development Bank established in 2012 through the support of the UK and
Danish governments which is being operational.
Ethiopia will in fact continue pursuing its diplomatic engagement
which will help ensure peace and stability in the region including in
Somaliland.
It will continue its meaningful cooperation with the Somaliland
government in as many focal areas as possible based on priorities
identified by the administration.
The proper delivery of the promises corresponding to the Special
Arrangement for Somaliland (SSA) would be of paramount importance in
improving major social services.