HARGEISA (SD) -The President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, received at the Presidential Palace the heads of the private telecommunications companies following a successful agreement between the Somaliland authorities.

The purpose of the agreement is to discuss how to share the ownership of the fiber optic cable as it is a national asset. The contract will jointly be administered by the Ministry of Communications and Technology and the three companies:

1. SOMCABLE is represented by businessman Mohamed Said Gedi.
2. SOMTEL is represented by entrepreneur Mohamed Said Duale.
3. TELESOM represented by businessman Abdikarim Mohamed Iid.
4. The Ministry of Communication and Technology of Somaliland signed and represented by Dr. Abdiweli Sh. Abdilahi Sufi.

The customers of the mobile phone companies in Somaliland are currently are unable to communicate, and the largest telecommunication company, Telesom, could be pressured to permit customers to interconnect, based on this agreement.

This type of acquisition must go through the legislature, and it is unlikely that this will happen, given the current governments past practice.

The President of Somaliland commended the historic agreement reached between the companies, and the Somaliland administration for their consideration and cooperation, and expressed gratitude to the corporations for investing in the country and for their unforgettable role in the nation.