Somalia’s TFG has expressed its optimism that its recent talks with Somaliland in London will yield fruits.
In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, Interior and Internal security minister Abdisamed Mo’alim Mohamoud said the London talks ended in a good atmosphere based on mutual understandings between the two sides.
He said the talks were the first of its kind in two decades, hopping that the two sides will later come to a positive conclusion.
Mohamoud noted that the two sides agreed to move to the second phase of the talks and co-operate on common issues like their fight against terrorism, piracy and dumping of industrial waste into the Somali coastline before reaching final conclusion of the talks.
On June 21, leaders from Somalia’s TFG and Somaliland have held their first formal discussions on the future of the self-proclaimed Somaliland republic.
Somaliland broke away in 1991 and wants to be a separate country – but it has not been internationally recognized while Mogadishu wants the northern territory to be part of a single Somali state.
Since declaring its independence, Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace in contrast to the rest of Somalia, which has been plagued by conflict.
It was the first time in 21 years that there had been formal, direct contact between the authorities in Mogadishu, and the Somaliland administration, which used to be a British colony, whereas southern Somalia was governed by Italy.
The two sides agreed the talks should continue and, in a declaration, they called on their respective presidents to meet as soon as possible – this could be as early as next week in Dubai, according to the BBC.
They also called on the international community to help provide experts on legal, economic and security matters.
Significantly, they’ve also agreed to co-operate in the fight against terrorism and piracy.
Somaliland agreed to enter into the talks during a February meeting in London, when 40 global leaders met to tackle piracy, terrorism and political instability in Somalia.
But its administration says its priority is to remain separate from the rest of Somalia – and wants Mogadishu to recognise its independence.
