Somaliland and Djibouti seek better relations

In an effort to improve relations between Djibouti and the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, representatives from the two sides have held talks in Hargeysa, the Somaliland capital. The office of Somaliland’s President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal said in a statement that leading Djibouti businessman Abdirahman Bore had held talks with Egal on Saturday, Reuters news agency said. The two agreed that Bore would discuss with his government ways of ending the enmity and misunderstanding between the two countries, the statement said. Relations between Djibouti and Somaliland soured last year when Djibouti hosted Somali peace talks, which were ultimately boycotted by the Somaliland administration. Somaliland complained that Djibouti had expelled Somaliland’s former resident representative, and banned foreign companies which trade with Somaliland.