SOMALILAND PRESIDENT CALLS FOR A NEW APRROACH TO TALKS WITH SOMALIA

[Deeq A.]

Hargeysa (PP News Desk) — The President of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland Muuse Bihi Abdi has proposed a new approach to talks with the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Speaking in Hargeysa on the 29th anniversary of the unilateral secession of Somaliland from Somalia on 18 May 1991,  President Bihi categorically rejected any talks with Somalia as long as Mogadishu refers to Somaliland  as “Northern Regions of Somalia.“

“The Federal Government of Somalia views the goal of talks as union whereas Somaliland looks upon  talks as a steppingstone to breaking away from Somalia” President Bihi said. “For talks to bear fruits we propose the International Court as arbiter of the sovereignty dispute between Somalia and Somaliland” President Bihi added.

The International Community has urged Somaliland to talk with Mogadishu about union or secession. “President Bihi has lost confidence in the African Union whose charter bolsters the sovereignty argument of Mogadishu”  says Farah Abdullahi, a London-based journalist.

President Bihi’s predecessor, Ahmed M. Mohamud, started unconditional talks with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in 2012. The incumbent Federal Government maintains good relations with Somaliland.

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