Somaliland struck unity deal with Somalia Govt, Puntland: Wikileaks

HARGEISA, Somalia, July 7, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somaliland opposition parties have lambasted the government for abiding by Somalia federalism under a unity deal a week after leaked Saudi Arabia cables revealed tripartite consensus.

Justice and Welfare party and Wadani leaders-Faisal Ali Warabe and Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi[Irro]-said at media briefing in Somaliland capital of Hargeisa that the move could be tantamount to treason.

The allegations have come after documents retrieved from Saudi Arabia Foreign Affairs Ministry unveiled that the separatist administration in northwestern Somalia clinched agreement with former Somalia President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s administration, Puntland and pro-government militias on February 18, 2012.

“An agreement which would pave the way to two parliamentary houses, and drafting of federal constitution was signed by Somalia’s transitional federal government, Puntland, Somaliland and pro-government militias on February 18, 2012,” read the Saudi cable.

State Minister for Presidency Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan was quick to respond to the firestorm of criticism set off by the leaked cables.

He acknowledged that former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Abdullahi Omar on his own behalf signed the deal and the unilateral action prompted his firing.

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Siilaanyo is set to travel to the oil-rich kingdom over the next weeks.

In 1991, Somaliland declared its independence from the rest of the country as de facto sovereign state but it has not been recognized internationally yet. 

GAROWE ONLINE