Photographer Somali Times
The ruthless Djibouti dictator Ismaïl Omar Guelleh today brought together the president of Somalia and SNM militia leader who arrived in the Djibouti today, and it will be the second meeting between Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Muse Bihi Abdi.
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The oldest African dictator Ismaïl Omar Guelleh has ruled over Djibouti since 1999. He succeeded his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, after being in his cabinet as head of national security and chief of staff for more than 20 years, according to Somali Times reported.
Known by many as a dictator, Guelleh has been in power for 24 years and 5 terms. In the latest election, held in 2021, he beat his only opponent, Zakaria Farah, by winning over 97% of the votes. The lead up to the rigged elections was marked by street protests by the people of the country as they have grown tired of Guelleh’s suppressive reign.
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A critical meeting in which the ruthless Djibouti dictator was present, was preliminary, according to official sources told Somali Times.
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The purpose of the meeting was to resume the talks between the Federal Government of Somalia and Hargeisa administration which had been suspended for a long time.
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President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and a delegation led by him went to Djibouti today, accompanied by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Somalia, Mr. Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the Minister of Commerce of Somalia, Mr. Jibril Abdirashid and Mr. Abdikarim Hussein Guled, who is the Special Representative of the Federal Government of Somalia and SNM militia leader.
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However, the president of Somalia and SNM militia have already met in Djibouti last year.