SOMALILAND FM ON WARMING RELATIONS WITH DJIBOUTI

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000997


DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL DJ SO
SUBJECT: SOMALILAND FM ON WARMING RELATIONS WITH DJIBOUTI

REF: NAIROBI 2718

Classified By: Ambassador James C. Swan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Ambassador met December 11 with Somaliland Minister of
Foreign Affairs Abdillahi Mohamed Duale to discus recent
improvements in relations between Djibouti and Somaliland,
which had been strained since the GODJ's closure of
Somaliland's trade mission in Djibouti in 2006. Duale
reported that "things were moving in the right direction,"
although press reports that a new Somaliland mission might
open as early as this month are likely premature. Duale
reported that he had held a series of fruitful meetings with
the GODJ Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of
Finance, and the Governor of the Central Bank. Duale said
that Somaliland and the GODJ had agreed to establish a joint
Ministerial Commission, slated to meet every six months in
alternating capitals, as well as a technical-level committee
to meet more frequently. In addition, Duale said that
Djibouti's Banque pour le Commerce et l'Industrie (BCI),in
which the GODJ holds a 33% share, had "already made a
decision" to establish a branch office in Hargeisa. Duale
said that he planned to meet again with Djibouti's Minister
of Finance to set a more exact timetable for BCI's opening in
Somaliland.


2. (C) During the meeting, Duale reiterated reftel points
that he was looking forward to the "imminent" completion of
AU Special Envoy Bwakira's report on his assessment mission
to Somaliland, and to his own upcoming series of meetings in
Addis Ababa with the AU and GOE to press for formal
recognition. Duale added that Somaliland President Riyale is
planning to travel to Addis and possibly Kigali to rally
support. Duale also repeated reftel appeal for enhanced
U.S.-Somaliland cooperation on counterterrorism.


3. (C) COMMENT. Djibouti-Somaliland relations appear on the
mend. Somaliland reportedly offered livestock and other food
to the GODJ in the aftermath of the Eritrean incursion in
June. Duale commented favorably on President Ismail Omar
Guelleh's immediate and personal concern over the October 29
bombing in Hargeisa. Duale was well-received at senior
levels in Djibouti and confirmed he plans further follow-up
visits. END COMMENT.

SWAN