Somalia: EU tries to revive stalled talks between FGS and Somaliland

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The European Union [EU] is keen to revive reconciliation talks between the northern breakaway region of Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia, months after the quest for dialogue failed to materialize.

For about five years, the two sides have been pushing for close collaboration, involving reunion of the secessionist state, a move which led to the establishment of a reconciliation team from both sides, which has, however, struggled to kickstart talks.

But Nicolas Berlanga, the EU special envoy to Somalia, has revived the plan to reunite the two sides, following a video conference with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi. The reunion, Berlanga noted, "is keen to facilitate the process".

During Tuesday's rare call, Berlanga noted the need for mutual cooperation between the two sides, adding that there is a need to reach agreements expeditiously "to settle the problem of its citizens and fulfill" their aspirations.

Also, Berlanga emphasized the strong ties between the two parties and the commitment of the union to further relations with Somaliland.

Somaliland’s minister of planning was part of the video conference on the marking of Europe Day 2020.

In February, the two sides came close to initiating genuine reconciliation talks after Bihi met Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in Addis Ababa. The meeting was engineered by Ethiopian PM Ahmed Abiy.

Days after the meeting, a delegation from Addis Ababa landed in Hargeisa, in which it's believed that they were pushing for the first visit by a sitting Somali president to Somaliland administration in as many years.

Somaliland declared self-independence in 1991 after the civil war broke out in Somalia, but it has not yet received official recognition from a single foreign government in the past 29 years. 

Sweden, Turkey, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and EU member states are actively jockeying for the opportunity to hold the talks on the unity of the Horn of Africa country. The two sides run parallel governments with their own currency and administrative units.

A report by the International Crisis Group last year tensions between Somalia and Somaliland remain high. The core bone of contention is still Somaliland’s political status in light of its 1991 declaration of independence, which Somalia rejects.

“Somaliland’s deal with an Emirati conglomerate and Ethiopia to manage the port of Berbera – which Mogadishu saw as challenging its claim to sovereignty there – deepened antagonism,” states the report.

The report, however, says the frictions eased in 2019, and outside pressure has created some momentum toward renewed negotiations between the two sides, which last gathered to talk in 2015.

“Given high levels of suspicion between Somalia and Somaliland, international mediation will be crucial to achieving progress, but roles need to be assigned carefully.

The proposal by Farmajo to visit Hargeisa is said to have been rejected by Bihi, who is said to have asked Dr. Ahmed Abiy for "some time to consult my people". A number of high profile Somaliland officials also termed it "impossible".

Dr. Ahmed Abiy is pursuing the reconciliation after his exploits in Eritrea, which saw him win the lucrative Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. He's believed to be one of the most progressive African leaders in recent times.

GAROWE ONLINE