Saturday December 30, 2023
Djibouti (HOL) - The talks between Somalia and the breakaway Somaliland region concluded on Friday evening in Djibouti, with both parties reaching a consensus on eight crucial points to guide further talks.
President of the Republic of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, hosted the talks, attended by the President of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi. The signed statement was endorsed by the Minister of Interior of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, and the Minister of Interior of Somaliland, Mohamed Kahin Ahmed.
Below is the communiqué summarizing the outcomes of the summit:
Commencement of the Dialogue: Both parties have committed to engaging in a fair and impartial dialogue, ensuring that concerns from both sides are acknowledged and addressed to reach a consensus satisfactory to all.
Roadmap Development: 30 days has been agreed upon to craft a detailed roadmap for the dialogue process. This roadmap is expected to serve as a guideline for future discussions and issue resolutions.
Upholding Previous Agreements: Commitments were reaffirmed to respect and uphold agreements reached during previous meetings held across various international cities from 2012 to 2020.
Increased International Support: A call has been made for international partners to increase assistance in capacity building and institutional development, especially for the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn in Somaliland.
Security Challenges: Both governments have committed to addressing security issues both independently and jointly, with a specific focus on combating terrorism and resolving any emerging disputes.
Regional Peace Efforts: Cities and regions affected by historical conflicts are encouraged to pursue peace and stability, contributing to a favorable environment for the continuation of dialogue.
Maintaining Dialogue Integrity: Both parties have agreed to avoid actions that could potentially disrupt the dialogue atmosphere, maintaining the dignity of the process.
Acknowledgement of Djibouti’s Role: The leaders of Somalia and Somaliland have recognized and commended the significant and balanced contribution of the Republic of Djibouti and President Guelleh in hosting and facilitating the dialogue.
The UK embassy in Somalia has welcomed the communiqué resulting from the talks between the Presidents of Somalia and Somaliland, describing the discussions as a vital step towards reconciliation.
However, the President of the semi-autonomous northern Somali state of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, strongly opposed the talks between the federal government and the breakaway region of Somaliland in Djibouti.
The President of the oil-rich region criticized and condemned the resumption of the talks, citing the absence of Puntland in the discussions. Puntland leaders have been consistently embroiled in border disputes with Somaliland, escalating tensions since February. During this period, both sides accused each other of fueling the deadly conflict between the SSC-Khatumo forces and the Somaliland army in Las Anod town.