Somaliland President Makes First Telephone Call to his Somalia Counterpart

[Deeq A.]

 

HARGEISA–Preident of Somalia, Mohamed Abdilahi Farmajo and Somaliland New President, Musa Bihi spoke by telephone, the highest level contact between the two countries which was aimed to diffuse the dispute over border row. The Phone call took place just last week before Somalild’s president left for two day state visit to Ethiopia leading a high level delegation. Center For Humanitarian dialogue has facilitated the two leaders to engage with phone conversation, the first of its kind since Somalilad broke away from Somalia in 1991. The two leaders have discussed the resumption of Somaliland and Somalia stalled talks and the acrimony in Tukaraq town.

President Bihi has reasserted to his Somalia counterpart that the clashes between Puntland and Somaliland is instigated by Somalia and has protested against the visit embarked by Somalia’s minister for planning which came to Somaliland’s Badhan town where it was interpreted as provocative move where Somaliland’s territorial integrity has been infringed. According to Center, the Somali president has argued that his government is not willing to shed Somali blood but loves peace and further called on resolving the dispute by peaceful means. Both leaders have reached a common understating of the intimidate resumption of stalled talks between Somaliland and Somalia and there is a possibility that a new venue will be chosen for the talks to take place. Another country will be announced which is due to hold the dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia. Turkey used to mediate the stalled talks between the two states.