Somaliland and Somalia Talks Indicate Move from Turkey

Hargeisa, 24 Dec 2013 (SDN) -Somaliland and Somalia have held talks in the past; but, it is over three separate occasions that talks were rescheduled since the last discussion. Turkey blames Somalia for rescheduling talks and particularly, the unstable political situation in Mogadishu.

Nonetheless, the rescheduling of agreed-upon dates continues to tarnish Somaliland’s trust in Turkey’s genuine intention of mediation. The bias Turkish and deliberate support of Somalia’s reoccurring scheduling conflicts prompted Somaliland’s Government to reexamine Turkey’s role.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mohamed Bihi Yonis and Mohamed Abdillahi Omar, respectively, are in the United Kingdom for this exact reason. Both Ministers hope to convince the United Kingdoms’ Government to host talks between Somaliland and Somalia. After all, it was London were both nations held their first diplomatic discussions in over 20 years; and, it is the United Kingdom that Somaliland shares such strong, historical ties.
Although it is unclear whether or not the United Kingdom will resume mediation talks between Somaliland and Somalia; one thing is for sure- Somaliland is no longer accepting excuses from Somalia and Turkey.

Source: horn newspaper