Djibouti (HAN) December 27, 2018. Regional maritime Security and capacity building Initiatives. According to the official letter received by the Horn of Africa Newsline (HAN) and Geeska Africa Online reporter in Hargeisa, the Somaliland government expressed reservations about a Saudi Arabia-led initiative to create cooperation for countries along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
In 2017, Egypt launched an initiative to establish a framework of cooperation between the Arab and African countries
The Red Sea entity is an initiative unveiled by King Salman in order to promote stability in the region. The initiative will bring together Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Yemen, Somalia and Jordan.
“The Republic of Somaliland considers the recently-announced initiative to establish an entity of cooperation with six countries bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a strategic area and a vital global shipping line, as incomplete without the participation of Somaliland, ”a Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said.
“Somaliland has successfully safeguarded terrorists and piracy from its land and coastal waters, and will not delegate the security of its 850-Kilometer territorial water to any other country, ” the statement added
The Somaliland Foreign Ministry statement found fault with the press release on the Red Sea Initiative the considers Somaliland as part of Somalia.
“Somaliland is an independent and sovereign country, and any agreement between regional countries that considers Somaliland as part of Somalia is a mistake .. unacceptable to Somaliland.”
Meanwhile, the Somaliland government made it clear that it welcomed any cooperation initiative that actively and correctly contributed to the security and prosperity of countries along the Red Sea.
“However, we look forward to any cooperation that actively contributes to the security and prosperity of this area without compromising the sovereignty of any country.” the statement read.
IGAD2020 Regional Security Watch
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