Ethiopian Colony arrives in Hargeisa as Abiy Ahmed role in Somalia-Somaliland talks

Photo/ Somali Times




An Ethiopian Colony led by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide arrived in Hargeisa Wednesday in what sources said was set to lay the groundwork for PM Abiy’s Ahmed mediation for a visit by President Mohamed Farmajo to the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Ethiopian Ahmed Shide arrived in Hargeisa at about afternoon and is expected to hold talks with top Somaliland leadership. It is not clear if he will be meeting President Muse Bihi. Ahmed Shide’s arrival in Somaliland follows reports of a planned historic visit by President Farmajo to the breakaway region, which Bihi has termed as ‘rumours’.




While delivering the annual address to Parliament Monday, Muse was categorial that President Farmajo’s visit ‘will never happen considering the atrocities committed by his country on the citizens of Somaliland. Though he welcomed Farmajo’s public apology, Muse said any meeting with the Somali leader will only happen on condition Somalia acknowledges Somaliland’s sovereignty and its decision to secede in May 18, 1991. Muse also noted the brief meeting with Farmajo in Addis Ababa last week did not address anything regarding talks.

There have been reports Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed whose country enjoys cordial relations with Somaliland is keen on taking up the lead role in bringing the leaders of the two sides together.

Ethiopia controls 19% stake at the Berbera Port which is being upgraded under a 30-year concession by the UAE ports operator DP World.