By Ebi Kesiena
The breakaway region of Somaliland has firmly stated that it currently has no intentions of engaging in discussions about reunification with Somalia.
This statement appears to be a clear rejection of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s offer to mediate talks aimed at reunifying the two entities.
A statement by Somaliland’s foreign affairs ministry noted that its capital would only agree to talks with Mogadishu if the agenda focuses on the future of both entities as separate states.
“Any dialogue that transpires between Somaliland and Somalia will not discuss unification, but rather how the two previously united countries can move forward separately,” Somaliland’s government said in a statement.
Recall that on Saturday President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda noted that he would mediate between Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland to facilitate reunification after a more than three-decade split.
Museveni agreed to take up the role after a visit on Friday by a special envoy from Somaliland, Jama Musse Jama, according to a presidency statement.
“President Museveni agreed to be the unification facilitator between Somaliland and Somalia,” it said.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, but has not gained widespread international recognition for independence. It has been mostly peaceful while Somalia has undergone civil war.
While Museveni said that Somaliland’s secession had frustrated efforts to build a strong and prosperous Somali state.
Somaliland has been dealing with secessionist forces, heavy fighting broke out between its forces and clan militiamen in and around the town of Las Anod in February.
The militiamen are seeking to break away from Somaliland to create their own state.
