Friday December 29, 2023
Garowe (HOL) - The President of the semi-autonomous northern Somali state of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, strongly opposed the talks that resumed between the federal government and the breakaway region of Somaliland in Djibouti on Thursday.
While announcing his candidacy bid in Garowe on Thursday night, the President of the oil-rich region criticized and condemned the talks' resumption, citing the absence of Puntland in the discussions.
Puntland leaders have been consistently embroiled in border disputes with Somaliland, escalating tensions since February. During this period, both sides accused each other of fueling the deadly conflict between the SSC-Khatumo forces and the Somaliland army in Las Anod town.
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh hosted President Muse Bihi Abdi and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday to facilitate the talks between the federal government and Somaliland.
Somaliland declared autonomy from Somalia in 1991 but has not gained widespread international recognition for independence.