Ethiopia, Puntland to strengthen trade and security relations
2 Apr 2, 2007 - 12:13:48 PM
BOSSASO, Somalia Apr 2 (Garowe Online) - The president of Somalia’s semiautonomous Puntland regional state, Gen. Mohamud “Adde†Muse, spoke to reporters in Bossaso on Monday after returning yesterday from a weeks-long trip to neighboring Ethiopia. President Adde Muse said he was officially invited to Addis Ababa by the Ethiopian government last month. While in Addis Ababa, the Puntland president met with various Ethiopian government officials and had the chance to visit select foreign embassies there.
The Puntland leader said he signed a deal with the Ethiopian government to strengthen relations in the trade and security sectors. According to President Adde, the Puntland region would export fish products to land-locked Ethiopia, while Puntland students would be granted access to institutions of higher education in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia would also assist the Puntland region in the telecommunications sector.“They [Ethiopia] will help us with security,†said President Adde while addressing last week’s arrival of a fresh contingent of Ethiopian troops in Galkayo, Puntland’s southernmost city.
The President said there were “active†members of the ousted Islamic Courts movement inside Puntland, and that the newly arrived Ethiopian troops will help the secure the region from such threats.
