Somalia';s President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo will not be travelling to Ethiopia for an historic meeting with the leader of his country';;;s northern breakaway province of Somaliland, a VOA journalist has tweeted.

President Farmajo and Muse Bihi Abdi were set to be hosted by Ethiopia';;;s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, privately-owned Addis Standard reported.

It will be the "first ever high-level meeting" between the two countries, it said.

The Somalia leader has "agreed in principle" for the talks.

Mr Abdi has reportedly set off for Addis Ababa.

Somaliland declared independence after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre in 1991.

The move followed a secessionist struggle during which Siad Barre';;;s forces pursued rebel guerrillas in the territory. Tens of thousands of people were killed and towns were flattened.

Though not internationally recognised, Somaliland has a working political system, government institutions, a police force and its own currency.