Somalilandsun: “Even though no agreement was reached on the major contentious issues, Somaliland’s civil society welcomes the outcome of the agreement and believes that a peaceful dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia will enhance the stability and the economic integration of the region”.
This sentiments of support to the just concluded Consultative Summit on Relations between Somaliland and Somalia in neighbouring Djibouti were expressed by Civil society organizations in the country on the 18th June 2020 following as CSOs leaders meeting hosted by the Somaliland Non State Actors Forum-SONSAF in Hargeisa where the outcome of the summit were deliberated upon.
A post meeting statement issued on behalf of all Somaliland CSO’s by the chairperson of SONSAF Anwar Abdirahman Warsame read:
“The internationally sanctioned Dialogue between the two countries started in 2012, following the Somali conference in London, where both sides were urged to engage in a peaceful dialogue to clarify their future relations. Since then, senior officials from the Government of Somaliland and the federal government of Somalia have officially met five times in Dubai, Ankara, two times in Istanbul and Djibouti.
The sixth round, which was planned to take place in Istanbul in January 2015, failed, paving the way for the collapse of the entire dialogue process.
The revival of the talks in Djibouti from 14th to 18th June 2020 has been welcomed by Somaliland’s civil society and the international community. This time the talks were not negotiation, but mediation chaired by the President of the Republic of Djibouti, Honourable Ismail Omar Guelleh. After intense discussions the two countries agreed on the following:
Code of conduct that guides future talks
- Confidence building
- Implementation of past agreements
- Three subcommittees on aid, investment, airspace, security will meet in 15 days and
- The joint ministerial committee to meet in 45 days
Even though no agreement was reached on the major contentious issues, Somaliland’s civil society welcomes the outcome of the agreement and believes that a peaceful dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia will enhance the stability and the economic integration of the region.
In Conclusion and jointly members of Somaliland’s Civil Society Organizations issued their position on the talks being:-
- We strongly encourage both sides to continue the peaceful dialogue.
- We strongly urge both sides to not politicize the development, Aid and humanitarian fund
- We strongly call for the effective and efficient implementation of the agreed action points between Somaliland and Somalia
- For the two countries “Somaliland and Somalia” to respect this agreement and refrain
Anwar Abdirahman Warsame from any action that may cause the talks to collapse.
- We persuade the technical committee “Joint Ministerial Committee” to facilitate implementation of this agreement and adhere to the agreed timelines.
- To the international community to continue their unconditional support to peaceful co-existence between the two countries “Somaliland and Somalia” and
- To the host country “Djibouti” to continue mediating the two parties until lasting agreement is reached.
Anwar Abdirahman Warsame
SONSAF Chairman
