Hargeisa, Somaliland
The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), has strongly accused neighboring countries Somalia and Djibouti of interfering in Somaliland’s internal affairs. The President added that Hargeisa stands ready to defend its security and political decisions at a time when regional tensions are running high over its relations with Israel.
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi made these remarks during his Eid al-Adha holiday address, stating that Somaliland’s foreign policy is rooted in peaceful coexistence, cooperation, and mutual respect. However, he noted that certain neighboring countries have displayed hostility toward Somaliland, particularly after Hargeisa moved to deepen its ties with Israel.
“Many countries have shown hostility toward Somaliland, but we have caused no harm to anyone. Our policy is based on good neighborliness and peace,” President Irro said.
The President further called on Djibouti and Somalia to respect the principles of peace and good neighborliness. “What we are telling Djibouti and Somalia is to respect the peace and good neighborliness of neighboring countries. Somaliland has every right to defend itself against any form of interference,” he emphasized in his speech. In light of this, he urged the people of Somaliland to maintain stability, unity, and social cohesion.
The President’s firm statement comes at a time when Somaliland’s relations with regional governments have severely deteriorated due to its growing ties with Israel. Somalia, Djibouti, and several Arab and African nations have strongly condemned Somaliland’s relationship with Israel and its reported plan to open an embassy in Jerusalem. These countries oppose the move, arguing that it undermines Somalia’s territorial integrity and directly contradicts the established regional stance regarding the Palestinian cause.
President Irro firmly rejected criticism from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who previously stated that the federal government would not tolerate Israel establishing a presence in Somaliland’s territory.
“Even if you bring any external force against us, Somaliland is not alone today; we are more than capable of defending ourselves,” President Irro said. He added, “What I am telling Hassan is that those days are long gone. There is absolutely nothing you can do about this matter now.”
The Federal Government of Somalia continues to view Somaliland as an integral part of its own territory. Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, has maintained its own government, security forces, and electoral institutions for over three decades, though it has yet to secure widespread international recognition.
President Irro stated that the talks between Somalia and Somaliland, which originally commenced during the administration of former Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo, have failed to produce any meaningful political results despite years of dialogue. “Somaliland is not an aggressor, and its policy is not to invade anyone; rather, it is to protect and defend its own national existence,” he concluded.
This fresh diplomatic standoff adds a complex layer to the long-standing friction between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, while drawing Somaliland deeper into broader regional geopolitical divisions involving Israel, Palestine, and the issue of sovereign recognition.
