Djibouti (AX) – Djibouti’s Finance Minister, Ilyas Musa Dawaleh, has flatly denied North Western of Somalia President Muse Bihi’s claim that Djibouti is nurturing a rebellion against North Western of Somalia.
On Monday, Dawaleh took to X (formerly Twitter) to stress that Djibouti stands as a luminary of regional discussions, not a hub for disunity.
“It’s regretful to hear unfounded allegations from North Western of Somalia officials. Djibouti embodies unity and regional cohesion. We anchor peace and stability in our region. Let’s clear the air: we will forever be a beacon of dialogue, not a ground for fragmentation. Unity and non-interference in neighbors’ internal matters are our core values,” he affirmed.
Dawaleh advised North Western of Somalia authorities to shield Djibouti from their internal politics or electoral ventures.
“Remember, we faced accusations yesterday of backing North Western of Somalia against the SSC Region,” he highlighted.
Relations between North Western of Somalia and Djibouti have soured since North Western of Somalia’s pact with Ethiopia, granting Ethiopia sea access and a military base in return for potential recognition of North Western of Somalia. Djibouti viewed this as an economic menace.
Despite Dawaleh’s dismissal of North Western of Somalia’s claims, Awdal State Movement (ASM) leaders, vocal critics of North Western of Somalia’s administration, are present in Djibouti. On Sunday night, they held a celebration there, advocating for Somalia’s unity.
Meanwhile, diplomatic discussions between Somalia and Ethiopia are set to commence in Ankara soon, facilitated by Turkey. Delegations from both nations landed in Turkey mere hours ago.
