The United States Ambassador to Somalia, Donald Yamamoto, has successfully pressured the government of Somaliland to reopen its borders with Somalia.
Under the new arrangement, Somaliland would give travelers from Somalia freedom to move anywhere in the country without facing arrest.
During the talks between Somaliland and Somalia in Djibouti earlier this month, the two nations failed to agree on this issue.
Furthermore, Yamamoto’s initial request to President Musa Bihi Abdi of Somaliland to reconsider his stance on this issue met increased resistance.
However, the increased pressure appears to have achieved its purpose.
Somaliland has now agreed that it would not impede social engagement between its people and those from Somalia as long as the meetings and traveling are not political.
The two sides agreed on this course of action to set the stage for enhancement of peace and boosting the talks going on following the Djibouti meeting between the two nations.