Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland have agreed to resume dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.
This comes after long-running political tensions and years of deadlock.
The deal was signed on Friday, following two days of talks mediated by Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
This is the first of their kind since 2020 when similar negotiations stalled.
“After lengthy discussions, the two sides have agreed to resume the process of talks, with the focus on issues of national interest to reach a sustainable solution.”
Somali presidency
“After lengthy discussions, the two sides have agreed to resume the process of talks… with the focus on issues of national interest to reach a sustainable solution,” said a joint statement published by the Somali presidency.
The northern region has been seeking full statehood since claiming independence from Somalia in 1991, a move fiercely opposed by Mogadishu and not recognised internationally.
Somaliland has often been seen as a beacon of stability in the Horn of Africa region, although political tensions surfaced there earlier this year, spilling over into deadly violence.
Under the Djibouti pact, the two sides agreed on a roadmap for talks in 30 days as well as collaboration on security and the fight against organised crime, and pledged to work together on peace and stability in conflict zones.
