US embassy cable - 08DJIBOUTI997

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