Somalia, Somaliland resumes talks for national reconciliation

Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland have officially agreed to recommence dialogues aimed at resolving longstanding issues that have fueled political tensions for years.

The historic deal, inked on Friday, emerged after two days of intensive negotiations mediated by Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh—marking the first substantial talks since 2020 when earlier negotiations had hit an impasse.

The joint statement released by the Somali presidency expressed optimism, stating, “After lengthy discussions, the two sides have agreed to resume the process of talks… with the focus on issues of national interest to reach a sustainable solution.”

Somaliland, seeking full statehood since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991—a move not internationally recognized—has often been perceived as a stabilizing force in the tumultuous Horn of Africa region.

However, recent political tensions escalated earlier this year, resulting in deadly violence.

The Djibouti pact not only outlines a roadmap for forthcoming talks within 30 days but also includes collaborative efforts on security, combating organized crime, and a joint commitment to fostering peace and stability in conflict zones.

The historic agreement was formalized in the presence of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi.

Previous rounds of talks, spanning from 2012 to 2020, yielded little progress.

The Djibouti agreement, however, has garnered international support, with Workneh Gebeyehu, the executive secretary of regional grouping IGAD, emphasizing the importance of peaceful means and dialogue in resolving difficulties among member states.

The British embassy in Somalia also praised the move, describing it as a “vital step towards reconciliation” in a post on social media.

Somaliland, home to 4.5 million people with an extensive coastline on the Gulf of Aden, operates as a self-governing entity, printing its own currency and issuing passports. However, its quest for international recognition has left it economically disadvantaged and isolated.

While political tensions erupted earlier this year, leading to violent clashes, Somaliland remains relatively stable compared to Somalia, a country plagued by decades of civil war and the persistent threat of Islamist insurgents.

The newfound commitment to dialogue offers a ray of hope for both regions, signaling a potential turning point in their complex relationship.