Mutuality Consensus Points in the Recent Somaliland-Somalia Dialogue

Following a two-day meeting in Djibouti, a communiqué was released by the delegations of Somaliland’s president, Muse Bihi Abdi, and Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

It reportedly has eight points and states that the parties decided to resume the long-stalled talks between Somalia and Somaliland.

The parties also decided that they would create a roadmap for discussing contentious issues first and designate technical committees to help with these matters within a 30-day timeframe.

Ismail Omar Guelleh, the president of Djibouti, mediated the conference and allowed the parties to finally meet after a protracted absence.

After lengthy deliberations, both sides have decided:

1. To bring the two sides’ negotiation process back on track, concentrating on addressing and resolving the disputed issues while carefully considering how to arrive at a sustainable settlement.

2. To organize a joint technical committee within the next 30 days with the responsibility of creating a detailed plan for resolving the main challenges.

3. To faithfully implement the agreements reached in previous dialogues between the two sides held in Ankara (April 2012), London (June 2012), Ankara (April 2013), Istanbul (July 2013), Istanbul (January 2014), Djibouti (December 2014), Istanbul (March 2015), Ankara (April 2016), and Djibouti (June 2020).

4. to guarantee responsibility for crimes, such as murders, evictions, and damage inflicted upon Somaliland (the country’s northern areas), by the country’s armed forces.

5. To collaborate fully on security matters, counter-terrorism efforts, and maintain close coordination through relevant institutions.

6. To work towards the restoration of peace and stability in conflict-affected areas and regions using the Somali people’s historical approach to conflict resolution.

7. Regarding the resumption of talks, both parties ought to abstain from any form of communication that may be detrimental the ongoing dialogue process such as written or spoken material.

8. Both delegations, representing the Governments of Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia, express deep gratitude to President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of the Republic of Djibouti, and the people of Djibouti, for their hospitality, facilitation, and support in hosting these crucial talks. They also extend their appreciation for the encouragement of dialogue and cooperation.