Somaliland says “differences” prevent trade

The office of President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal of the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, has said that there can be no trade with neighbouring Djibouti because of conflict and differences. A statement issued by the office said the Somaliland administration was “displeased” with the way prominent Djibouti businessman Abdirahman Bore had interpreted and related talks he had with Egal last week, Radio Hargeysa reported on Monday. “If he briefs his Djibouti government and its officials the same way he briefed the media, there could be new disagreements and differences,” the statement said. It said the discussions held last week had concluded that Bore should “ask his government and officials of the Democratic Republic of Djibouti to find ways of ending its hostility and antipathy towards Somaliland”.

Djibouti declared a ban on trade with Somaliland on Wednesday, alleging a theft by members of the Somaliland administration of cigarettes worth some US $800,000. Relations between the two sides have soured since Djibouti hosted the Somali peace talks which culminated in the election of Mogadishu-based President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan. The Somaliland administration boycotted the talks and accused Djibouti of interfering in Somalia’s affairs.