President Hassan Mohamud meets with foreign diplomats to discuss relaunching Somalia-Somaliland talks

547

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Yilmaz, Norwegian chargé d’affaires Haakon Svane, Turkey’s Special Representative Aykut Kumbarolu, and Norway’s Special Representative, Ms. Heidi Johansen in Mogadishu on Monday.

The President reportedly affirmed Somalia’s commitment to resuming talks with the breakaway Somaliland government in Hargeisa.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the governments of Turkey and Norway for their commitment to supporting the restoration of Somalia and Somaliland talks. He mentioned his national plan, “Somalia at peace with itself and the World,” which includes addressing the decades-long Somaliland issue.

In June 2020, former Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi met in Djibouti in a meeting brokered by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh.

However, the meetings broke down without any concrete agreements on plans for further discussions.