Puntland leader in talks with Somalia PM in Ethiopia

GAROWE, Somalia August 24, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Amidst strained relations between Puntland and Somalia’s Federal Government President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has met with Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed in Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Sunday according to independent sources, Garowe Online reports.

Puntland leader, Gaas who departed Garowe for Addis Ababa at official invitation discussed the suspended cooperation as well as oil and gas exploration activities with Somalia Prime Minister, GO has learned.

Neither IGAD nor Ethiopia is brokering the mediation between the two and President Gaas did not comment on the ongoing private talks in Addis Ababa while he was jetting off at Garowe airport.

Puntland President has been set to hold talks with Africa Oil officials during his stay in the coming days as Mogadishu-based Federal Government previously threatened western oil companies operating in northern Somalia with license revocation.

UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea earlier in 2013 warned in confidential report of consequences of oil pursuit in northern Somalia.

On July 31, Puntland re-suspended cooperation with Mogadishu in a dispute over Federal state consisting of Mudug and Galgaduud regions but later agreed to bilateral talks in the presence of international representatives.