Djibouti (SD) – New Somaliland lawmaker Barkhad Jama Batun with the highest number of votes is currently on an official visit to Djibouti.

Barkhad Jama Batun upon his arrival yesterday met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omer Guelleh at the Djiboutian Presidential Palace.

Lawmaker Barkhad spoke about his meeting with President Guelleh in a post on his Facebook page.

“I thank the President of the Republic of Djibouti, His Excellency Ismail Omer Guelleh, for receiving me at the Presidential Palace in Djibouti and thanking the majority of the Somaliland people for their overwhelming vote.” said Barkhad in a statement.

Adding “I extend a sincere greetings and respect to the President from my fellow citizens,”

The government of Djibouti has awarded a national medal to Barkhad Jama Batun, a member of the House of Representatives of the Self-Declared Independent Republic of Somaliland.

“I thank the Prime Minister of the Republic of Djibouti, His Excellency Abdulkadir Kamil Mohamed, and the Government of Djibouti for honoring me with the highest national medal in Djibouti.” Barkhad said in a post on his Facebook page.

Adding “I will dedicate this medal to the honorable people of Somaliland, which i represent their dignity, their voice, and their flag. I will present it to the most important person in the nation, Insha Allah.”

The purpose of MP Barkhad Jama Batun’s unannounced trip to Djibouti is unknown, and is drawing criticism from both Djibouti dissidents and political activist, who say they’ve associated the Lawmaker with Democratic change.