“Somaliland will not Participate the New Deal for Somalia Conference in Brussels”-Foreign Minister

Hargeisa, Aug 13, 2013 (SDN) — Somaliland’s foreign minister Mohamed Bihi Yonis has today confirmed that the Government of Somaliland will not be participating in the upcoming New Deal Somalia Conference in Brussels on 16th Sep, co-chaired by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Somalia.

The country’s top diplomat reaffirmed his government’s commitment to bilateral talks with the Federal Government of Somalia, but stated that Somaliland could not participate in a conference which does not acknowledge Somaliland’s unique status.

Speaking today with BBC Somali service, he said “Somaliland and Somalia have different needs However and we cannot participate in a conference which does not acknowledge Somaliland’s unique status.

The New Deal Somalia Conference in Brussels will endorse the “New Deal Compact” that will commit the Somali people and their international partners to a set of key priorities and new support for the reconstruction of Somalia over the next 3 years. The Conference is set to build on the momentum of progress and change in Somalia.

SDN Hargeisa