The Special Representative of the UN General Secretary to Somalia Mr Michael Keating has called for negotiations between Somaliland and Puntland to diffuse the escalating military tension in the disputed Sool region.
Keating met the new President Musa Bihi Abdi in Hargeisa two days after a military confrontation between Somaliland and Puntland over a strategic border town of Tukaraq.
“My role is to lessen the tension and giving the upper hand on how the two can start a dialogue. If there is dispute, military offensive is not the solution and the way to solve the current problem” Keating told reporters at a Press Conference in Hargeisa.
Both Puntland and Somaliland have sent more troops into the region in anticipation of a further military confrontation.
President Abdi and Keating also discussed matters relating to the dispute over airspace. Keating said Somalia, Somaliland and ICAO which has controlled the airspace for 27 years will discuss and take a decision on where the airspace will be controlled.
There is no win-lose situation here. There will be either win-win or lose-lose situation” Keating said regarding the airspace dispute.
Other matters discussed were politics, education, humanitarian assistance and youth employment.
