Somalia: Uganda rejects to support the secession of Somaliland

KAMPALA, Uganda - Somaliland's quest for international recognition suffered a major blow on Saturday, with Uganda President Yoweri Museveni dismissing the secession idea, asking for unity between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, despite talks between the two parties hitting a dead end in recent times.

While hosting Somaliland's representative to Uganda Jama Musse Jama, Museveni said the two parties should embrace magnanimity, noting that politics of interest are better than politics of identity, a factor which has been key in wedging differences in the country.

"Dr Jama Musse Jama, the Special Envoy from Somaliland, called on me at State House, Entebbe," said President Museveni in his X account. "We do not support the secession of Somaliland from Somalia because, strategically, it is wrong."

"The people face similar challenges regardless of race and religion; hence, they should embrace politics of interest, which is more important than politics of identity," added the strongman, who has been in power since 1986, following a civil war in Uganda.

Museveni, who has been dominant in East and the Horn of Africa politics, added that he is ready to act as a mediator between Mogadishu and Hargeisa. He said the two parties need to facilitate trade and work together with other African countries.

"I agreed to take on the role of peace facilitator between the two. A country’s internal market alone is not enough; therefore, Somaliland and Somalia need to unite, trade together, and trade with other African countries," he said.

For the last three decades, Somaliland has been fighting for international recognition following secession from Somalia and despite the delay, it has been running an independent government with its own Central Bank, legislature, and Judiciary, despite calls for reconciliation.

The region, which formed a union with Somalia in 1960, separated in 1991 after a deadly civil war under the reign of Siad Barre, the former military ruler. There have been deliberate efforts to solve the impasse, with Ethiopia and Djibouti trying to facilitate talks a few months ago, but the two parties have failed to agree.

In recent weeks, there has been unrest in the Las Anod area of Somaliland, with SSC-Khatumo forces trying to pull out of Somaliland, while pushing to be governed from Mogadishu. The conflict has left hundreds of people dead, triggering the US to challenge both sides to embrace cessation of hostilities.

GAROWE ONLINE