Uganda said on Saturday, September 23, it would mediate between Somalia and the breakaway country of Somaliland to accelerate their reunification, after over a three-decade split.
Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni had agreed to take charge of the role after a visit on Friday by Jama Musse Jama, a special envoy from Somaliland, according to a presidency statement.
Recall that Somaliland had broken away from Somalia in 1991 but it has yer to gain widespread international recognition for independence. Meanwhile, the move has been mostly peaceful while Somalia has endured a civil war.
Museveni was quoted in the statement to have said to the envoy:
“We do not support secession because strategically, it is unwise.”
Reunification would potentially reinforce the Horn of African country’s capability to fight challenges including an insurgency by the Islamist group al Shabaab.
