Hargeisa (SD) – Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, in a speech at the commemoration of May 18 independence celebrations reiterated Somaliland’s position on negotiations with the Federal Government of Somalia.

President Bihi said they welcome aid from the international community, but pointed out that his government would not accept any aid through the Somali government.

On the other hand, he mentioned the stalled Somalia-Somaliland talks for the past four years, emphasizing that there will be no dialogue with the Somali government, for as long as they refer to Somaliland as the northern regions of Somalia, which the president called a disgrace.

The Somaliland President also noting that they could only talk to Somalia as two neighboring nations.

President Muse Bihi said that the federal government officials believe in unity, but noted that the meeting agenda needs to be discussed, in order for the talks to be fruitful.

Finally, the President suggested that Somalia and Somaliland go to court if the talks were to be unsuccessful.

Somaliland initially got its independence from Britain in June 26, 1960, but united with Somalia on July 1, 1960. subsequently, Somaliland got its independence back on May 18, 1991, after a long bitter civil war.

Somaliland is now considered to be Africa’s best kept secret, given the unrecognised nation’s democratic and nation building achievements.