Relations with Somaliland on the mend

Improved relations between Djibouti and the self-declared independent state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, would depend on the extent to which Somaliland implemented bilateral agreements reached, a senior Djibouti official told IRIN on Tuesday. The provisions of the agreements include ending hostile propaganda, according to Somaliland radio in Hargeysa. Earlier this month, a Somaliland delegation led by its foreign minister visited Djibouti in a move towards improving relations. The official said the reopening of the common border - closed by the Djibouti government in April - was on the cards, "but will depend on how they behave".

Relations between the two sides soured following Djibouti's hosting of last year's Somali peace talks, which led to the establishment of the Transitional National Government (TNG). The Somaliland administration boycotted the talks, accusing Djibouti of interfering in Somalia's internal affairs. The official, however, told IRIN that Djibouti "will continue to support the TNG and Somali unity in general, and will not compromise on this". The people on both sides of the border were one and the same, and would eventually solve their differences, he stressed.