The leaders of Somalia and Somaliland have met in Djibouti for a new round of talks aimed at resolving their longstanding dispute over Somaliland’s 1991 declaration of independence, which Somalia does not recognise. The talks, which are hosted by the Djiboutian government.
The Somali delegation is led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is accompanied by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ahmed Ma’alin Fiqi, the Minister of Commerce, Jibril Abdirashid and the Special Envoy for the talks, Abdikarim Hussein Guled. The Somaliland delegation is headed by President Muse Bihi Abdi.
The talks are expected to focus on security and economic issues of mutual concern, as well as the political status of Somaliland, which has been a source of tension and conflict between the two sides. According to a statement from the Somali presidency, the talks aim to “restore trust and confidence” and “promote brotherly relations ” between Somalia and Somaliland.
