As reconciliation talks protocols agreed upon by Ruling Kulmiye party remain shrouded in secrecy. 
By: Yusuf M Hasan
Somaliland sun- Somaliland opposition politicians are pursuing facts pertinent to Khatumo secessionists commitment to cessation of hostilities related to political differences with the central government in Hargeisa.
A team of opposition politicians from the the Wadani party and led by Abdirahman Irro is currently in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa where exploratory talks with a Khatumo delegation led by Prof Ali Khalif Galayd have ensued.
Last week a government delegation led by president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo met with the Prof Galayd team and agreed to hold fully fledged reconciliation conferences inside Somaliland beginning from 17th November 2016.
The intent and subsequent consensus for peaceful reconciliation between the government of Somaliland and the secessionists who aspire to a Khatumo state of Somalia presumably to be hived-off from the entire Sool region and eastern parts of Sanaag region, was confirmed by president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo
In a presser at the Egal international airport Hargeisa and upon arrival from Ethiopia and after detailing on outcome of discussions with government officials, president Silanyo revealed the Khatumo meet stating:
“during the visit we had the opportunity to meet with a team of Khatumo officials led by Prof Ali Khalif Galayd in which the imperatives of continuing reconciliation talks and it was mutually agreed that the first meeting take place inside the country on the 17th of this month”
What is yet to be acknowledged by the state are claims that negotiators in Addis Ababa conceded to a demand by the secessionists that the reconciliation talks protocols shall be between two administrations namely the government of Somalilamd and government of Khatumo State.
According to reports the objectives of the Irro led mission which includes former foreign Minister Mohamed Behi Younis are to verify the determination for peaceful reconciliation by the Khatumoists and the government to government conference protocols.
While Prof Galayd has already made it known publicly that state with state meet protocols were concurred upon , the Somaliland team is yet to reciprocate thus precipitating the Wadani party mission to Addis Ababa.
Our sources indicate that Abdirahman Irro who doubles as the speaker the somaliland and Wadani party flag bearer in 2017 presidential elections and his delegation of opposition politicians are just as most citizens, queasy about conditional reconciliation protocols.
During their meeting the Khatumo team composed of Prof Ali Khalif, Dr Ali Issa Abdi and a group of traditional leaders among them Garaad Sofe, reportedly conformed the protocol arrangements to the Wadani Party team.
The opposition politicians are said to have pursued the issue of how the negotiators led by ruling Kulmiye party leader and presidential candidate Muse Behi Abdi and including the Minister of foreign affairs Dr. Sa’ad Ali Shire, Presidency Minister Mohamed Hashi Abdi among others divulged from initial protocol arrangements in which reconciliation would have ensued between the Isaaq and Dulbahante clans.
Irro who congratulated the Khatumoists for their intent on intent to lay down arms and pursue peaceful reconciliation said that he, his Wadani Party members not only fully support the reconciliation process but shall actively participate to ensure successful conclusion.
By the time of going to press mother Wadani party not Khatumo state has issued an official statement pertains king to discussions in Addis Ababa thence more questions than answers more so on the issue of the talks venue having been relocated to the Ethiopian capital where the host country shall act as mediator.
If the the venue of the reconciliation conference is indeed Addis Ababa then the government to government pact between Somaliland and Khatumo is a foregone conclusion but if the meet takes place inside Somaliland then possibilities of the very successful home brewed clan reconciliation system shall prevail.
In the meantime the Khatumo secession movement leaders have apart from meeting Somaliland government, rulong and opposition party leaders also been engaged in a hectic schedule involving discussions with various IC members with a stake. Somalia affairs among IGAD an east and Horn Africa regional body.
