The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has maintained it will only partake in a mediation exercise organized by either Turkey or Qatar Now Somaliland is accusing Somalia of being a stumbling block to the mediation process between the two administrations.
Yesterday President Muse Bihi of Somaliland observed that whereas his administration had honoured all previous invitations for talks, Somalia had reportedly maintained a hardline position, insisting they could only attend mediation talks organized by either Turkey or Qatar. He concluded: “It seems Somalia is not ready for talks. But we are ready”.
The African Union had slated 19th March 2019 for talks in the Ghanaian capital of Accra but it is seems Somalia is not keen on attending. Last month, Ethiopian Prime Minister Mohamed Abey, reached out to the two countries in a bid to thaw their diplomatic relationship characterized by bad blood. But Somalia snubbed the meeting, yet again, despite both countries’ delegations having arrived in Addis Ababa.
Of the more than two years of President Mohamed Farmaajo’s term of office, he has not publicly declared any interest in mending fences with Somaliland, formerly party of the wider Somalia. In the meantime, Somali Opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur has urged the government to attend the talks and listen to Somaliland’s side of the story. Abdishakur asked President Farmaajo to take the issue seriously.
