​Somalia:Puntland President to visit Ethiopia

GAROWE, Puntland- The President of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali “Gaas” is expected to travel to neighboring Ethiopia in the coming week, Garowe Online reports.

Presidency sources tell GO that President Ali is set to jet off to Addis Ababa on Saturday, to hold meetings with officials from the Ethiopian government. Other reports indicated that the meetings will focus on the Somali election scheduled to be held later this year, but couldn’t be independently verified by GO.

Recently, leaders of the regional states were seen holding talks with several officials from the Ethiopian government in Addis Ababa.  

Last October, during en route to UAE, President Ali paid a visit to Addis Ababa, and had meetings with representatives from companies and government officials but the purpose of the meetings weren’t disclosed to the public.

However, this comes amid worsening drought and humanitarian situation facing Puntland region, as his government lacks clear plans to provide immediate relief response to the nomadic communities in the rural areas.  

Since his election, President Ali has visited Ethiopia the most in his foreign trips, and stated that it mainly focused on the promotion of bilateral commerce and security in Puntland, but critics have argued so far it was “unfruitful”.

GAROWEONLINE