Hargeisa (SD) – Reports from Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland indicate that a delegation led by the Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, had reach there today.

The minister was welcomed at the Hargeisa airport by ministers of the government Muse Bihi Abdi, and he plans to meet with the president Bihi at the presidential palace today.

The minister’s unofficial trip is aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, as well as issues related to Somalia-Somaliland talks.

There are also reports that indicate the Ethiopian minister is pressuring the Bihi government to welcome President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmajo) in Hargeisa.

The Ethiopian Minister’s visit comes the day after the president of Somaliland publicly opposed the President Farmajo’s trip to Hargeisa.

The President of Somaliland in a speech in front of the two Houses of Parliament, declared he will never accept Farmajo to accompany Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on his trip to Hargeisa.

There is no official statement from the delegation on their visit to Hargeisa this morning, and are not expected to speak with the media.