Ethiopia denies escorting a Somali leader to tribal conference

Ethiopia denies escorting a Somali leader to tribal conference

HARGEISA — Ethiopia's representative to Somaliland, Berhai Tesfie, strongly denied having relations with Somalia's former Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galeyr on Monday in Hargeisa.

Speaking from his office with Geeska Afrikanewspaper, Ambassador Tesfie, denied rumors that security members of Somali Regional State of Ethiopia escorted the former Somali leader to Taleeh in Somaliland's disputed Sool province. "My government does not have any working relationship with him. We don't even know him," he said while answering a question raised by a reporter.
Mr. Galeyr, a controversial politician, is said to be one of the officials taking part in the Dhulbahante clan conference known as Khatuumo Two. Somaliland expressed its concern about Mr. Galayr who they suspect of being a supporter of the weak transitional federal government in Mogadishu. Yesterday the government held a press conference in which they warned politicians from Somalia and "opportunists" groups from abroad not to hijack the tribal gathering. Somaliland Interior minister, Mohamed Nuur Arale, made it clear that Hargeisa was ready to protect its judicial sovereignty and there was no compromising on that. "Regarding security disturbances in Sool, the government will be strict in guaranteeing public order and the sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland," he said.

The Ethiopian ambassador, who called on the conference to announce his country's plans to boost its usage of Berbera port facility took more questions from local reporters.

When asked if Ethiopia was still willing to mediate between Somaliland and Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland over heir long-standing border dispute he said: "Any mediation effort would have to come from the disputing parties. Ethiopia has moral duty to provide the venue for dialogue but its up to Somaliland and Puntland region to take the initiatives."

Finally the ambassador was asked for his reaction to the unexpected move by President Silanyo to appoint the former general director of Berbera port, Ali Omar Mohamed, to head the port again.

This was his response: "The Ethiopian government is only interested in someone that is professional with proven records. Someone that is a positive force for our relationship and upholds the contractual agreement between the two nations." Ambassador Tesfie went on to say its irrelevant if "Ali or Omar" is running the port as long as "bilateral agreements" are respected.
He was referring to a recent dispute between Ethiopian merchants using the port and the Minister of Finance. Ethiopia complained the minister was collecting port charges on import as well as transportation charges. The Ethiopian merchants argue they should only pay for transshipment charges. The Ambassador noted he forwarded a letter to the Ministry of Finance expressing their concern and the Ministry is yet to respond.

Berbera port mainly handles relief grain imports from the European Union and the WFP.

Somalilandpress/Geeska Afrika