The United Kingdom’s Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson visited Somaliland in unannounced visit today on January 6th 2019.













The defense secretary met with the President of Somaliland HE Muse Bihi Abdi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Yasin Hagi Mohamoud, his counterpart Somaliland’s Defense Minister Essa Ahmed and Somaliland top army General Nuh Ismail Tani.

The purpose of Mr. Williamson’s visit to Somaliland and what he discussed with the President are unclear. Sources tell Somaliland Chronicle that Mr.

Williamson and President Bihi a one on one meeting that lasted several hours.

Political analysts and diplomatic sources are speculating that the United Kingdom is sending a clear message to Somalia with the Minister’s visit which is the culmination of high level rapprochement by the international community since the ouster of SSGR Nicholas Haysom by Somalia’s Federal Government.

This is a developing story and will update as we know more.