HOW DJIBOUTI ERRED IN ITS RELATIONS WITH PUNTLAND

By a staff writer

How violations of its own entry visa permits had backfired on Djibouti in 1998. Two officials of then newly created Puntland State, having multiple Djibouti entry visas on Somali diplomatic passorts were denied entry into Djibouti, annulling their visas on arrival at airport. They were Hassan Abshir Farah Waraabe, the late Puntland New Minister of Interior and Ismail Haji Warsame, the New Chief of Staff at Presidency.

This diplomatic incident had impacted negatively on Djibouti-Puntland relationships, Arta Somali Peace Conference of 2000, in particular.

Ironically, the two Puntland officials were traveling with a UN delegation to deliver hostages freed at time by Puntland new authorities from pirates in the Red Sea to the French Government in Djibouti.

Later, we had learned that Djibouti authorities were annoyed by Radio France International broadcasting the news of Puntland transferring French hostages at Airport, but also they cancelled visas to prevent Puntland officials from meeting with French diplomats at embassy in Djibouti. Strangely, Puntland had no authority or influence over the French Radio newscast. but, since Djibouti was fearful and couldn’t challenge France diplomatically, they had decided to target the New Puntland Administration as a scapegoat. It was a diplomatic miscalculation. Puntland officials spent the night at airport transit hall, refusing to exit it without written apology from Djibouti authorities. They flew to Garowe onboard UN plane next morning. At the time, Puntland State was several days old.

Since 1998, Puntland- Djibouti relationships have never fully recovered.

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