Ethiopia and Somaliland continue to enjoy apt bilateral relations that are not only beneficial to respective citizens but entire Horn Region as well.
This was informed by the Ethiopian Diplomatic envoy to Somaliland Brigadier General Berne Tesfaye at the Hargeisa based Consul-General where he termed the two countries cooperation in counter terrorism, fight against human trafficking and cross border trade as most tangible achievements.
“A highly appreciable common understanding has created towards the need of fighting terrorism & Counter terrorism, control of the activities of human trafficking and other criminals by exchanging the information with all concerned Somaliland authorities on regular basis” said General Tesfaye adding that “ In order to promote the existing mutual cooperation ranges high level official visits and senior technical committees meetings have been exchanged between the two countries on a regular basis”
Below are verbatim excerpts of the briefing by the Ethiopian Consul General in Somaliland Brigadier Berne Tesfaye
Quote- The Somaliland Delegation led by a Somaliland president H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Silanyo, paid an official visit to Ethiopia October 29/2016, and has conferred with the prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E.Hailemariam Desalegn on the ranges of issues of bilateral relations and common interests. The two leaders exchanged views on fostering their existing cooperation in trade, investment and economic development, as well as linking the two countries with infrastructure and developing Berbera port as Ethiopia has remained desirous to use the port to promote its foreign economic relations and trade. They have also agreed to cooperate in ensuring peace and security in the region as well as fighting against terrorism.
On 10 September, 2016 the Ministry of Foreign affairs and International cooperation of Somaliland H.E Dr. Sa’ad Ali Shire met with his counterpart H.E. Dr.Tedros Adhanom in Addis Ababa, and discussed and reached agreement to work together on the areas of mutual economic, security, Social developments including, the needs of construction and maintenance of road from Berbera to Togo wajale which is vital for import and export trade between two Countries.
In relation to capacity building Ethiopia continues to support Somaliland in the areas of Defense, Police, and Intelligence, Coast Guard, and Immigration. Avery significant numbers of Somaliland personals from different fields are provided with short and long term capacity building trainings in Ethiopia. In the area of education, in this academic year Ethiopia has granted the scholarship opportunity in different Ethiopian Universities for more than 130 Somaliland Students under graduate & post graduate programs in various areas of studies.
In regards to people to people as well as government to government relations are being broadening from time to time as both sides remain committed for mutual understanding and meaningful engagement. Ethiopia in this regard providing facilitated visa and Airlines as well as other transport services to the people of Somaliland aiming to consolidate the social bond between the peoples of the two sides and which also is helping free movement of the people of Somaliland for different reasons.
In general the two sides have discussed in details a number of issues which needs combined efforts and agreed on the future directions to strengthen their existing relations
Ethiopian Consul General
Hargeisa Somaliland
