Puntland state leader, Abdiweli Ali Gas on Saturday left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after receiving an official invitation.
An Emirati Private plane carrying the leader and his delegates departed from Bosasso Airport shortly before 9am.
Gas is scheduled to hold talks with the leaders of United Arab Emirates on wide range issues including the controversial Bosasso port agreement and Dubai’s mission of Puntland state.
The visit comes a time the diplomatic relations between Somalia and the Arabian Peninsula nation deteriorated following UAE’s backdoor agreement with some regional states, which Somalia termed as blatant violation against the sovereignty and Unity of Somalia.
On Friday, Somalia Foreign minister, Ahmed Issa Awad called on Dubai based company, DP World to reconsider its controversial deal with Somaliland and work with Somali Federal Government.
In an interview with Reuters, Awad said DP World’s agreement to develop an economic zone and port in Somaliland’s Berbera “by passed the legitimate authority” of Somalia, triggering “misunderstanding and disagreement” that remained unsolved.
“We are asking DP World to reconsider these agreements, particularly the one of Berbera port since Somaliland is claiming to be a state independent from Somalia,” Ahmed Isse Awad, Somalia’s foreign minister told Reuters in an interview.
In a separate interview with BBC Somali, Awad confirmed that Somalia would release the funds seized in Mogadishu Airport early this month after the concerned agencies conclude their investigations.
“Somali government will let go the funds after the [Security] agencies conclude the ongoing investigations,” he pledged.
The minister said several ally governments were carrying out initiatives to mediate Somalia and UAE.
“There are several countries trying to intervene the situation, among them are, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and others,” said the minister.
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