Somalia, Somaliland ink historic security cooperation agreement

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Dec 2023 18:49

The leaders of Somalia and breakaway region Somaliland held two-day talks hosted by Djibouti before announcing reaching an eight-point agreement and a political roadmap to resolve further issues.

Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (L) and President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh (C) with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi during talks hosted by Djibouti on December 28, 2023. (Djibouti's Presidency Office)

Somalia's government has reached a comprehensive security cooperation agreement with the breakaway Somaliland region following years of stalled tensions, as reported by Somalian media on Saturday.

Earlier this week, the leaders of Somalia and Somaliland, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Muse Bihi Abdi respectively, convened a meeting hosted by Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh to restart discussions regarding the political status of the autonomous region situated in northern Somalia.

During these talks, both parties committed to an 8-point agreement, which includes combating organized crime and developing a negotiation roadmap within a 30-day timeframe, as outlined by the Garowe Online news website.

"After lengthy discussions, the two sides have agreed to resume the process of talks... with the focus on issues of national interest to reach a sustainable solution," said a joint statement published by the Somali presidency.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia and established a republic in 1991 which still lacks international recognition.

This presents a significant development from September's position when the government of Somaliland rejected any talks on reunification with Somalia.

While the subject of reunification has always been Mogadishu's priority for any discussions, the current agreement signifies a more lenient stance.

Somaliland has seen relative peace with the central Somali government. However, fighting broke out between Somaliland and pro-Mogadishu groups in February, before tensions were addressed later.