Ethiopian Minister on a surprise visit to Hargeysa

Hargeysa, Somaliland, July 7, 2007 (SL Times) – Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tekedu Elemu unexpectedly flew in to Hargeysa on 30 June 2007 to hold talks with President Dahir Rayale Kahin. The Ethiopian official, traveling on Ethiopian airlines afternoon flight to Hargeysa, flew back to Addis Ababa barely 2 hours after arriving in Hargeysa.

Dr Elemu explained that his visit to Somaliland was no different than his other previous trips to Hargeysa. He said the reason for his visit was to strengthen the already strong friendship and cooperation that Ethiopia and Somaliland have enjoyed over the years, and to stress to Somaliland that the relationship has not lapsed or dropped from its strong foundation built on a partnership, mutual trust, and understanding. Mr Elumu added that he came to deliver to President Dahir Rayale, a special letter/message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The Ethiopian minister of state did not reveal the contents of the letter.

The Ethiopian minister of state was quickly ushered from the airport in Hargeysa to the presidency to meet President Rayale and spent less than 1 hour in his discussions with the president of Somaliland.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, and no other person or official from the Somaliland government took part in the meeting of the president and the Ethiopian minister.

A brief press release, relating to the president’s meeting with the Ethiopian foreign affairs official was released by the presidential spokesman, Saeed Adani, and was distributed to the local media. It said, “Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin received in the presidential palace today 30/06/07, the Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Tekedu Elemu, who came for a short visit to the republic to discuss with the president of the republic of Somaliland on further strengthening the already successful friendship established between the two countries and build a better and closer relationship between the two neighborly states, working together in solving commerce, security and the political situation of the region of Horn of Africa.

Many people found the brief Ethiopian minister’s visit to the presidency, and the statement by the president’s spokesman, a little odd, and wondered what prompted Prime Minister Zenawi to send his minister to deliver a letter by hand.