Title: Uganda Mediates Between Somalia and Somaliland

Uganda announced today, Saturday, that it will mediate between Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland to facilitate their reunification after more than three decades of division. A presidential statement indicated that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni agreed to take on this role following a visit from a special envoy from Somaliland yesterday, Friday. The statement added, "President Museveni agreed to work towards facilitating (the) reunification between Somaliland and Somalia." Somaliland seceded from Somalia in 1991 but has not gained widespread international recognition for its independence. The situation in Somaliland is generally peaceful, whereas Somalia is experiencing civil war. The statement quoted Museveni as saying to the envoy, "We do not support separation as it is a strategically wrong thing." The potential reunification could enhance the capacity of the East African state to address challenges such as the insurgency by the militant group al-Shabaab.