Hargeysa, (HargeisaPress) —On the 20th and 21st of December the two Presidents of the Republic of Somaliland and Somalia, their Excellencies Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud ‘Silaanyo’ and Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, respectively, held a summit conference on matters of states’ import, in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti, signing a six-point accord.
The two Presidents’ meeting, in which notable statesmen and Ministers from both sides attended, was moderated by the President of Djibouti, H.E. Ismail Omar Gheelle, hosting the event.
The six-point communiqué, seen far and wide as a resounding victory, for Somaliland, bringing that much nearer its two-decade quest for international recognition, was fully endorsed by the two presidents as is below-noted.
Point 1: The talks between the two sides be revitalized based on a preset, strict schedule.
Point 2: The two sides put issues of monumental import to the future relations (fate) of the two states on the highest priority vis-à-vis: (a) that the two sides refrain from anything that may prove to be detrimental to the talks; (b) that all humanitarian and development initiatives be depoliticized and encouraged; (c) that the agreement reached on management and revenue sharing relating to Somali airspace be implemented as previously agreed upon in Istanbul, Turkey.
Point 3: The two sides agreed on inviting Djibouti to future talks between the two states if and when the need arises.
Point 4: Both sides acknowledged the importance of safeguarding human rights and the urgent need to cooperate on security issues and the combat of piracy, organized crime and terrorism.
Point 5: The next meeting between the two states be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 26-27 February, 2015.
Point 6: The two Presidents accredited His Excellency Ismail Omar Gheele and the whole of Djiboutienne on hosting the meeting following a request put to him on matter by both Presidents of Somaliland and Somalia
Furthermore and relating to future meetings, the two sides fully agreed on the use of experts that could directly contribute to the talks on the negotiating table.
The Somaliland opposition parties, the public, and members of the bi-cameral Somaliland parliament all welcomed the outcome of the talks, dismissing as face-saving comments the denigrating words of President Hassan Sheikh making noises on the possibility of a unified Somalia in 2015.
Somaliland, experts say, has shown its true mettle, expert maneuvering and determination by persuading Hassan Sheikh to sign an accord that leads to a final separation of the two ill-fated ex-partners as has been done before in the case of Sudan and South Sudan.
Somtribune Staff Writer