Somalia: Ethiopian and Somali Officials Hold Secret Talks

23 November 2009

Ethiopian officials have reportedly crossed the border to neighboring Somalia to hold secret talks with former administrators of Somalia's southern region of Bakool in the southwestern border village of Yeed, sources reported.

Reports said Ethiopian officials from Somali region led by Barey chief Daud Abdi escorted by their troops entered the village and met with Somali officials from Bay and Bakool region who were led by Col. Adan Saransor.

Sources told Garowe Online that the closed-door meetings reportedly focused on strengthening Somali troops in a bid to strengthen the forces and fight with the militants, who control much of the region including strategic town of Baidoa, the capital of Bay.

"The meeting was secret and we don't want to reveal the outcome to the media. But the two sides discussed the military cooperation," said a Somali official who attended the meeting.

The latest meeting raised eyebrows in the village and its environs which are currently under the Somali insurgent group Al-Shabaab.

Ethiopian officials have reportedly urged their Somali counterparts not to allow any cooperation between Somali militants and Ethiopian rebel group ONLF which is waging war against the Ethiopian government over the control of Somali region.

Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200911231908.html.