In a communiqué issued from Addis Ababa, Somaliland and Khaatumo asked the international NGOs and UN agencies to lift the ban and operate in these regions which are severely hit by drought. The two warring sides have been in a negotiation at the Ethiopian capital.

Hargeisa- Somaliland and Khaatumo concluded at Addis Ababa preliminary talks aimed to defuse tensions in order to pave a way for substantive negotiations, according to a communiqué singed by the two sides in 21^st December.

Khaatumo has been engaged in insurgency activities in the eastern regions of Somaliland. It declared autonomous region under the Federal Government of Somalia, claiming Sool and Sanaag regions and Buhoodle district as part of its adminstration. It rejected the Somaliland’s declaration of restoration of independence from Somalia.

This created dispute that in many occasions evolved into armed confrontations which caused loss of lives.

"The two sides agreed to solve the dispute through negotiations,” said the communiqué.

The parts agreed to work together in strengthening peace, the communiqué explains.

Due to the armed confrontations and opposing claims, the international organizations and UN agencies refrained from operating in these regions which lag behind the rest of country. The security rating of the UN is also downgraded which forced many organizations to avoid the area.

In the communiqué, they asked the international NGOs and UN agencies to lift the ban and operate in the regions which are severely hit by drought.

About the author

Jama Ahmed Jama is the Editor-in-Chief of Somaliland Daily.