Puntland government has denied reports that its leader met officials from the Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland.
Somaliland Foreign minister Mohamed Bihi Yonis had earlier claimed that delegation from the separatists region met Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali in Ethiopia last week and discussed on the disputes between both regions..
Puntland President was part of the African leaders invited to attend the Tana forum – a high-level forum which was discussed on the impacts of illicit financial flows on Africa’s security and peace- which was recently held.
However, Puntland’s minister of Education Ali Haji Warsame, who was part of the delegation of Puntland President, said that there wasn’t any official meeting between both sides.
“No such meeting has taken place. We completely deny any official meeting between Puntland President and Somaliland minsters. If there are any negotiations in the future, they will be planned,” said the Minister.
Puntland and Somaliland have had territorial disputes over the Sool and Sanag regions in the past decade, in which some occasions troops from both entities clashed.
Military tension between both sides rised after President Silanyo of Somaliland paid a surprise visit to the port town of Lasqoray , which lies on the Red sea and under goes Sanag region of Puntland. His visit was coincided with the assassination of Puntland commander of forces in Galgala mountains late Col Jama Said Warsame, who was killed in a highway ambush.
Puntland also accused Somaliland of financing and training the al-Shabab militants hiding in Galgala mountain ranges and said that they got ‘’evidences’’ proving the link and will submit it to the International Community.
Horseed Media
