Reviving hopes: Stage set for Farmajo's dialogue with Bihi in Djibouti

MOGADISHU, Somalia - After days of behind the scenes lobbying, Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo will be meeting Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi for the second time in as many months, Djibouti President Ismael Omar Guelleh confirmed, in a meeting which rekindles hopes of uniting the two factions.

In a tweet on Saturday, Guelleh, who is now playing a pivotal role in the renewed dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland, said the meeting is more of a "follow up" on the mediation efforts between the two leaders, adding that the reunion will be graced by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

"Tomorrow in Djibouti, I will chair a meeting between President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and President Moussa Bihi Abdi to follow up on the mediation efforts between the two leaders," he said. "I have also invited Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to attend the discussions."

In February, the two leaders met in Addis Ababa in a rather impromptu gathering that was hastily convened by Dr. Ahmed, a Nobel laureate, but no agreement was reached. A delegation from Ethiopia to Hargeisa had also failed to broker a date for Farmajo's visit to Somaliland.

But in a show of commitment, Farmajo apologized to Somaliland, a region which had seceded from Somalia in 1991, taking responsibility for atrocities committed by his predecessors, notably dictator Siad Barre, who was ousted in 1991 after several decades of conflict.

Since declaring self-independence in 1991, Somaliland has been transacting its affairs as an autonomous state but it's yet to get recognition from the international community. It's this quagmire that is precipitating talks with Mogadishu.

Abdinur Mohamed, the Villa Somalia spokesman, said the Djibouti meeting will reignite the urge to unite the two factions, adding that President Farmajo, who is facing a re-election puzzle, is committed to ensuring successful negotiations.

"President Farmaajo remains committed to all efforts that lead towards successful talks with Somaliland," he said, adding, "This is in line with his reconciliatory approach and affirms his position to ensure the brotherhood that is the core fabric of this nation is sustained."

The European Union and the United States have been pushing for dialogue between the two factions, a move which is anchored on the upcoming elections in Somalia, which has seen Somaliland feature in negotiations on distribution of parliamentary seats.

Nicolas Berlanga, the EU envoy who has been pushing for the talks, welcomed the Djibouti meeting on Saturday, adding that that gesture will set the pace for the much-needed dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa.

"The EU Delegation hopes the meeting becomes the first step to embrace common gains in which all may prosper through dialogue; and the release of emotion retained for a long time. Doors of hope for an agreement should not close again," he said.

In Somaliland, the leading opposition party, Wadani, welcomed the Djibouti meeting, further adding much-needed support to Bihi, who has been under pressure to snub the talks, with members of his government terming them "unnecessary".

But by Sunday morning, President Muse Bihi Abdi had departed for Djibouti, with multiple sources hinting that he was accompanied by Yasin Hagi Faratoon and the chairman of Somaliland House of Elders Seleban Mohamud Adan.

Also, the federal government of Somalia dispatched its delegation on Sunday under President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire. The duo is accompanied by seven other senior government officials.

The officials include Mohamed Mursal Abdirahman, who is the speaker of Lower House, Abdi Mohamed Sabriye [Interior], Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed [petroleum], Hussein Abdi Elmi [DPM], Arif Qassim [MP, lawyer], Mohammed Mohamoud [AG] and Mohamed Dahir [independent constitution review Chair].

This isn't the first time a sitting Somalia president is meeting Somaliland leaders. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed held talks with Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo during his tenure with Farmajo's predecessor Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also meeting Silanyo before their exit.

A select committee from both sides has struggled to kickstart talks due to high levels of suspicions. The team from Somaliland had faulted the inclusion of two of its "citizens" in Somalia delegation, besides also calling for the removal of a son-in-law to Siad Barre in the Mogadishu team.

Yusuf Gabobe, a political pundit, opines that the talks will only make significant progress should President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo accept to implement previous agreements made between the two entities.

"Constraining diplomatic maneuverability and bargaining powers of Bihi based on emotions is out of the question. However the Djibouti visit could make sense if Somalia's Farmajo who is in a weak position is at least ready to reinstate all previous agreements and protocols," he notes.

GAROWE ONLINE