DUBAI (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi engaged in high-level talks on Wednesday with Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, to explore avenues for bolstering economic and security cooperation between the two entities.
Abdullahi’s visit to the UAE coincided with the World Governments Summit held in Dubai on Tuesday and Somaliland’s participation in the diplomatic gathering has sparked significant controversy in Somalia.
The Somali federal government expressed its displeasure at the invitation extended by the UAE to the breakaway region, perceiving it as a challenge to its sovereignty.
While Mogadishu refrained from issuing a formal public statement of its discontent, it is reported by Universal Somali TV that the Somali government ordered three of its ministers, who were also in Dubai, to refrain from attending the summit.
In a statement released by the Somaliland presidential office, President Abdullahi expressed his deep appreciation for the UAE’s invitation and the warm hospitality extended to him.
“During these discussions, President Irro expressed his profound gratitude to the UAE government for the official invitation and warm hospitality extended to him,” the statement read.
“He commended the UAE’s commitment to fostering strong diplomatic and economic ties and reaffirmed Somaliland’s readiness to enhance bilateral cooperation,” it added.
