The breakaway region of Somaliland stated it has no intention of discussing unity with Somalia, despite the Ugandan president's offer to serve as a mediator for unification between the two.
"The Somaliland Government affirms that any dialogue that transpires between Somaliland and Somalia will not discuss unification, but rather how the two previously united countries can move forward separately," it said in a statement on Sunday.
It was emphasized that Somaliland, which has remained largely peaceful for more than three decades, "has no plans for dialogue to discuss unity with Somalia."
Museveni made the aforementioned statement after a meeting with Somaliland Special Envoy Jama Musse Jama. During the meeting, he emphasized that both Somalia and Somaliland must abandon "politics of identity" to achieve prosperity for their nation.
Somalia ceased functioning as a unified state after long-tlime leader Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. The Mogadishu-based federal government is the only legitimate authority in the nation recognized by the international community. It controls the capital city of Mogadishu and a number of other areas.
However, several other regions in Somalia are controlled by unrecognized state entities or self-governing territories. Specifically, the Republic of Somaliland, which is not internationally recognized, controls the northern part of the country, while in the eastern part, the Puntland region declared autonomy in 1998.
In February, heavy fighting broke out in the northern Somali city of Las Anod between Somaliland forces and local militia from the Dhulbahante clan. According to media reports, more than 200,000 people have been displaced since the violence began.
Last month, the pro-government Somali militia SSC-Khatumo reportedly took control of two key military bases belonging to the army of the breakaway region of Somaliland near the city of Las Anod. Sool province and its capital, Las Anod, is a disputed territory between Somaliland and Puntland.