Hargeisa – The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), held an important meeting today at the Presidential Palace with a delegation from the Republic of Djibouti. The delegation was led by Djibouti’s Minister of Trade and Tourism, Mr. Mohamed Warsame Dirir.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly nations, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism, transportation, and development projects beneficial to both countries.
The President and the Minister discussed ways to expand and reinforce the historic cultural, economic, and collaborative ties shared by the peoples and governments of Somaliland and Djibouti.
President Abdirahman Cirro expressed his appreciation for the delegation’s visit, emphasizing the importance of the two countries working together to promote trade and facilitate tourism, thereby enhancing economic growth and job opportunities for communities on both sides.
For his part, Mr. Mohamed Warsame Dirir, Minister of Trade and Tourism of Djibouti, stated that the government and people of Djibouti are committed to further strengthening the bonds of brotherhood, cooperation, and shared vital interests—especially in the fields of trade, tourism, and people-to-people movement.
HARGEISA, Somaliland – In a significant move to address a worsening humanitarian crisis, the State of Qatar has donated $3 million to support communities in Somaliland grappling with a severe and prolonged drought.
The announcement was made by Somaliland’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Sheikh Abdullahi Dahir Jama (Bashe), who serves on the nation’s Drought Relief Committee. The funds are earmarked to provide critical assistance to populations suffering from acute shortages of food, water, and essential resources.
Minister Bashe, speaking on behalf of both the committee and the President, lauded the Qatari government for its substantial and timely contribution. He described the aid as a vital intervention that will directly address the most urgent needs of those affected.
“This generous $3 million donation from our brothers in Qatar arrives at a critical moment and exceeds our expectations,” Minister Bashe stated. “It not only provides a lifeline for our people but also powerfully reinforces the strong bonds of brotherhood and friendship between our two nations.”
The ongoing drought has devastated large areas of Somaliland, threatening livelihoods and creating a dire need for international support. The Qatari aid is expected to bolster local efforts to distribute supplies, secure water, and mitigate the widespread impact of the climate-induced disaster.
This donation marks a further consolidation of the bilateral relationship between Qatar and Somaliland, highlighting a continued commitment to mutual cooperation and support in times of need. The Somaliland Drought Relief Committee will oversee the allocation and distribution of the funds to ensure they reach the most vulnerable communities efficiently.u
HARGEISA – In a demonstration of its commitment to gender parity, the Gender Advisory Office of the Somaliland House of Representatives unveiled a landmark report detailing its significant achievements and strategic future roadmap during a high-profile event at the parliament headquarters on Thursday.
The presentation, delivered by Ms. Salma Abdirahman Walaaleye, Head of the Gender Advisory Office, was attended by senior parliamentary leadership, including the Speaker, Mr. Yasin Mahmoud Hiir (Faraton), and the First Deputy Speaker, Mr. Said Mire Farah (Giire).
Outlining the office’s key accomplishments, Ms. Walaaleye highlighted several critical areas of impact. These include initiatives aimed at empowering women in the political arena, enhancing the understanding of gender equality among members of parliament and staff, and launching widespread community awareness campaigns to advance women’s rights.
“Our fundamental mission is to ensure women’s voices are not only heard but are integral to every level of decision-making in our nation,” Ms. Walaaleye stated emphatically during her address.
Looking ahead, the office has set ambitious goals to build on this foundation. Its future strategy focuses on three core pillars: the active advocacy for new laws and policies that institutionalize equality, the development of international partnerships to secure technical and financial backing, and a sustained effort to raise public awareness to create a more supportive environment for women in governance.
The leadership of the House of Representatives offered strong endorsements of the office’s work. Both Speaker Faraton and Deputy Speaker Giire commended Ms. Walaaleye and her team for their pivotal role in driving the gender equality agenda forward, urging them to continue their transformative efforts.
This event marks a significant milestone in Somaliland’s ongoing journey toward building a more inclusive and equitable society, where women are empowered to play a central role in shaping the nation’s future.
The Dahabshiil Group hosted the second edition of its highly anticipated Diaspora Night, a vibrant event dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of Somali diaspora communities from across the globe. The celebration, held in Hargeisa, showcased the company’s commitment to fostering strong ties between the diaspora and their homeland.
DahabPlus, a key arm of the Dahabshiil Group, played a pivotal role in the event, highlighting its innovative services that seamlessly connect Somali communities worldwide. The platform’s modern financial solutions were lauded for empowering diaspora members to support their families, invest in their homeland, and drive economic growth.
In a unified message, Dahabshiil’s leadership emphasized the diaspora’s critical role as the backbone of both the company’s success and Somaliland’s development. Chief Operating Officer Jama Ismail Nur, representing Chairman Haji Mohamed Said and CEO Abdirashid Duale, extended a warm welcome to diaspora members, acknowledging their efforts in uplifting their families and contributing to national progress. “Dahabshiil is committed to supporting the diaspora wherever they are in the world, helping them invest and connect with their communities,” Nur stated.
A diaspora representative, speaking on behalf of attendees, praised Dahabshiil’s unwavering support over the years. “For more than 25 years, Dahabshiil has been my trusted partner, making it easier to support my family and invest in my country. I encourage them to continue their remarkable efforts,” she said.
The event concluded on a high note, with attendees enjoying a warm and festive atmosphere, filled with cultural performances and networking opportunities. Dahabshiil Group reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing services for the diaspora, ensuring they remain a driving force for progress in Somaliland and beyond.
MOGADISHU – In a significant breakthrough for national unity, the Somali federal government and the main opposition alliance have sealed a comprehensive agreement on a framework for the country’s next elections, ending months of tense negotiations.
The deal, announced in a joint Communiqué on Monday, was reached after two months of talks between the government and the Somali Salvation Forum (SSF). Both sides hailed the accord as a critical step toward strengthening Somalia’s state-building process and resolving a persistent electoral deadlock.
A key feature of the agreement is the structure for electing leadership. The Federal Parliament will elect the president, who will then appoint a prime minister subject to approval by the House of the People. In a significant shift, the leaders of Somalia’s federal member states will be directly responsible for choosing members of parliament.
The framework also establishes a political threshold, granting official national party status only to organizations that secure a minimum of 10 percent of parliamentary seats.
Officials confirmed that the upcoming elections will be conducted under the 2024 electoral law, with immediate preparations beginning for local, state, and federal polls. A central pillar of the deal is the pledge to finalize Somalia’s long-provisional constitution, a move intended to provide clearer legal guidance and stronger institutional foundations.
Furthermore, the agreement outlines a gradual transition away from the traditional clan-based power-sharing model toward a direct, one-person, one-vote electoral system where citizens cast their own ballots—a longstanding goal for the nation’s democratization.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the agreement as a historic turning point. “The door to state-building is now open for the Somali people,” he stated, an all inclusive process for all stakeholders.
The communiqué also emphasized that the political accord aligns with ongoing military efforts to defeat the al-Shabab militant group, reinforcing national sovereignty and unity.
However, the path forward is not without challenges. The opposition Somali Salvation Forum itself is reported to be divided, with one faction rejecting the government’s electoral blueprint. This internal dissent raises concerns about the unified implementation of the deal across the political spectrum.
Despite this, the parties have urged all political actors to unite behind the new framework, hoping it will finally break the cycle of electoral disputes and delayed transitions that have hampered Somalia’s progress for years.
Hargeisa – In a significant ceremony symbolizing economic progress and international confidence, His Excellency President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) officially inaugurated the Serene Saravor Premier Hotel, a new luxury 5-star establishment in the capital city of Hargeisa.
The hotel, a first-of-its-kind modern infrastructure project in the Somali territories, is poised to set a new standard for hospitality and international business travel in the region. Constructed to meet global 5-star rating criteria, it represents a major milestone in Somaliland’s development landscape.
In his keynote address, President Cirro hailed the investment as a powerful testament to the nation’s growth. “This hotel is a clear symbol demonstrating our progress, economic growth, and the confidence investors have in the peace, stability, and political leadership of Somaliland,” the President stated.
He further emphasized the strategic importance of such developments, noting that modern hotels are vital for boosting tourism, attracting international conferences, and enhancing the overall quality of services available.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by government officials, including the Mayor of Hargeisa and the Minister of Investment and Industrial Development, as well as the hotel’s owner, Mr. Abdulkarim Mohamed Id. Speakers unanimously highlighted the project’s immense benefits for the nation, both in enhancing its international prestige and driving economic development.
The owner, Mr. Id, was personally commended by the President for his visionary investment. President Cirro used the opportunity to encourage other entrepreneurs to emulate this example and channel their resources into projects that foster development, create jobs, and bring prosperity to Somaliland.
Hotel Features and Construction: The Serene Saravor Premier is the result of a nine-year construction endeavor.The facility boasts 134 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, alongside world-class amenities designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers. Its striking modern architecture adds a significant new landmark to the skyline of Hargeisa, signaling the city’s evolving status as a regional hub.
The Minister of Education, Development, and Science of Somaliland, Prof. Ismail Ducaale Yusuf, who is on a work trip in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, held high-level talks with the officials of Alef Education — an international company specialized in developing educational technology.
The meeting was led by the General Manager of the company, Mr. Geoffrey Alphonso, and the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing education in Somaliland, particularly in the areas of technology and modern educational services.
This agreement follows the recent visit of the President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Abdillahi Cirro, to the United Arab Emirates, where he held meetings with the country’s leaders to strengthen bilateral cooperation. That visit resulted in the establishment of the major Burco Hospital, while this marks the second largest collaborative project between Somaliland and the UAE.
Alef Education is a UAE-based company that has won numerous international awards. The company provides modern educational services and technology to many countries, reaching over 1.6 million students across nations such as the United States, Indonesia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
This new agreement is expected to significantly contribute to the development of education quality in Somaliland, as students, teachers, and the education management system will be supported with modern services and technology provided by Alef Education.
The Taiwan–Somaliland security alliance exposes new fault lines in the US–China rivalry, pitting regional actors against one another across the Bab al-Mandab and Gulf of Aden.
By Abbas Al Zein
A new player has entered the Horn of Africa. On 24 July, Taiwan signed a maritime security agreement with Somaliland, a self-declared state unrecognized by the international community since its 1991 split from Somalia – but one that is increasingly courted for strategic partnerships by US-allied parties. While the pact may appear minor, it carries significant geopolitical weight: opening a new front in Washington’s long war to curtail Beijing’s global rise.
Taiwan’s ambitions in Somaliland stretch far beyond bilateral ties. According to its own framing, the agreement aims to build a “non-red coast” aimed at countering China’s influence along the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
This is where Israel, the UAE, Turkiye, and the Ansarallah-aligned Yemeni government in Sanaa intersect in both conflict and commerce, transforming Somaliland into a pivotal node in the West Asian–East African contest between Eurasian multipolarity and Atlanticist hegemony.
Taiwan’s Red Sea outpost
Taiwan’s diplomatic overture to Somaliland dates back to 2020, when it opened a representative office in the capital, Hargeisa. The move triggered Beijing’s ire, which condemned it as a violation of the “One China” principle. In response, Taipei and Hargeisa began deepening ties through successive agreements, culminating in the recent security pact.
The current agreement spans three tiers of cooperation. First, it focuses on maritime security, including joint training exercises, search-and-rescue coordination, and the exchange of technical expertise. Second, it addresses the development of the blue economy through collaboration in fisheries exploitation, sustainable coastal management, and maritime logistics. Finally, it involves technology transfer and capacity-building, such as providing surveillance systems, equipment for the coast guard, and Taiwanese technical support.
Somaliland’s 850-kilometer coastline along the Gulf of Aden gives it strategic access to one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes. For US ally Taiwan, it offers both geopolitical leverage and symbolic defiance of Beijing. But for China, the agreement is a provocation. Alongside Somalia, Beijing has rejected the pact outright, calling it a breach of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.
“The Somaliland regional authority’s action has blatantly violated the one-China principle and harmed China’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” the Chinese Embassy in Somalia stated, adding “The Chinese side is resolutely opposed to this action.”
China’s presence in the Horn is anchored in its Djibouti military base (its first overseas installation) through which it monitors and secures Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) shipping corridors. The base offers Beijing a launchpad for economic and military projection into the Red Sea and East Africa. It also places Chinese forces in proximity to US bases, intensifying a region-wide scramble for influence.
Somaliland’s bet on Taipei is undoubtedly a bold move. Lacking formal recognition, Hargeisa is leveraging this alliance to amplify its international relevance and draw itself into Washington’s orbit. The move is emblematic of a broader regional trend in which unrecognized or marginal actors are absorbed into the US-led containment strategy against China in the Global South.
Map of the strategic location of Somaliland.
Proxy politics and containment strategies
While the US has remained publicly silent on the maritime pact, its hand is evident. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, during his meeting with a Somaliland delegation, stated that the bilateral partnership could be “strengthened in the future,” by “working with like-minded countries, such as the United States.” In January 2025, the US Congressional Special Committee on China explicitly urged the State Department to establish a representative office in Somaliland to counter Beijing.
This is not just about Taiwan or even Somaliland. The Horn of Africa has become a fault line in the wider US–China confrontation, with maritime security serving as the pretext for projection. Djibouti’s Chinese military base is seen in Washington as a direct challenge to US interests, particularly in surveilling arms flows, monitoring resistance activity in Yemen, and containing Sanaa’s expanding naval reach.
As Somaliland analyst Abdiqadir Jama observes in the Horn Diplomat, the Taiwan–Somaliland alliance is a geopolitical maneuver nested within a larger US–China contestation. Its framing as a “model” for US engagement in the region signals Washington’s intent to forge proxy relationships rather than direct presence.
“Somaliland’s strategy is to leverage great power competition as a pathway to recognition. It recognizes that formal recognition from major powers is unlikely in the near term due to the international community’s adherence to a ‘One-Somalia’ policy and deference to the African Union.”
For Taiwan, the Somliland pact represents “a cornerstone of President Lai Ching-te’s proactive and assertive foreign policy. Facing a relentless campaign of diplomatic strangulation by Beijing, which has left it with only a handful of formal allies, Taipei has developed an offensive strategy of ‘non-recognition diplomacy.’
This development aligns with post-election statements from US President Donald Trump indicating his administration’s intent to recognize Somaliland, a move framed by his close advisors as advantageous for US intelligence operations in the region. These include monitoring Ansarallah-aligned naval activity, arms flows through the Bab al-Mandab, and Chinese logistics.
Resistance axis counterweights
Sanaa has become a decisive actor in this emerging contest. As the only force directly challenging the US military presence and Israeli interests in the Red Sea, the Ansarallah-led government has asserted itself both as a sovereign resistance authority and as an indirect strategic counterweight aligned with Beijing’s interests. Beijing has so far avoided an overt response to the Taiwan–Somaliland deal, but future moves may well include support for countermeasures channeled through Sanaa or other allied partners.
China has yet to extend formal recognition to Sanaa, but it has maintained open channels with the Ansarallah leadership, hosting an Ansarallah delegation as far back as 2016 and exploring limited avenues of coordination. This balancing act allows Beijing to safeguard its shipping corridors without overtly clashing with Washington’s regional partners, yet it leaves open the possibility of a shift toward recognition should US pressure intensify.
For Washington, the pact is another attempt to use unrecognized entities and disputed zones as tools to undercut Chinese and multipolar influence. Yet this approach is fraught with risk. The Gulf of Aden is already a tinderbox, and these new alignments could trigger regional responses that spin beyond US control.
US–Israeli–Emirati axis
Taiwan is not the only US-aligned actor embedding itself in Somaliland. The UAE, a longstanding supporter of Hargeisa’s ruling authorities, is brokering a military deal to grant Tel Aviv a base in Somaliland in exchange for formal recognition. The move seeks to outflank Sanaa by securing a foothold opposite Yemen’s western coast, near the Red Sea chokepoint.
Israel, which already operates a joint intelligence facility with the UAE on Yemen’s Socotra island, is now planning for its Somaliland base to sit alongside Taiwan’s presence under the same US security umbrella. At the same time, Abu Dhabi’s expanding footprint is also intended to counter Turkiye’s military-security ambitions in Somalia, with which it has repeatedly clashed.
What emerges is a dense web of alignments: a US-led bloc comprising Taiwan, Israel, the UAE, and Somaliland, positioned against Chinese, Turkish, and Ansarallah-backed interests. Somaliland, once a peripheral actor, has become a staging ground for proxy confrontation, its unrecognized status exploited to reshape the region’s balance of power.
The consequences will extend far beyond the Horn of Africa. With Taiwan acting as a wedge in the Red Sea, and resistance actors like Sanaa holding maritime lines against western encroachment, the Taiwan–Somaliland pact may well mark the opening salvo in a new phase of multipolar realignment, one that connects Africa’s coasts to the heart of West Asia’s resistance front.
Ambassador Hussein Ali Duale, a distinguished Somaliland diplomat and former Minister of Finance (2003–2010), has written a heartfelt letter to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, thanking him for advocating Somaliland’s recognition as an independent state.
Dated August 24, 2025, the letter recounts Somaliland’s historical struggle for sovereignty and highlights the significance of Cruz’s recent appeal to President Donald Trump for formal recognition of the breakaway republic.
Ambassador Duale, a former military officer and advisor on international recognition, describes Somaliland’s voluntary 1960 union with Somalia as a “nightmare” for its people.
He details the marginalization of Somaliland’s representatives in the newly formed then Somalia Republic, noting their exclusion from key government roles.
Duale shares a personal account of his involvement in a 1961 coup attempt with nine other British-trained officers to restore Somaliland’s sovereignty—an effort that failed but underscored the deep desire for reclaiming their lost self-determination.
“On July 1, 1960, when this unfair government was announced, the union died in the hearts and minds of the Somaliland people,” Duale wrote, citing the 80% rejection of the union constitution in a 1961 referendum.
He praises Cruz’s advocacy, stating, “Your unremitting efforts for our cause will remain in the hearts and minds of our people for generations,” and urges the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs to support Somaliland’s quest for recognition.
The letter follows Senator Cruz’s August 14, 2025, letter to President Trump, in which he called Somaliland a “critical security and diplomatic partner” for the U.S., highlighting its strategic Gulf of Aden location and contributions to counterterrorism and anti-piracy efforts.
Duale’s letter has gained traction on social media, with X posts echoing his call for recognition. One user noted, “Ambassador Hussein Ali Duale extended a formal letter of congratulations to Senator Ted Cruz, urging official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland,” signaling growing momentum for Somaliland’s cause.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, reclaimed independence in 1991 after Somalia’s central government collapsed. Despite maintaining a stable democratic system and its own institutions, it remains unrecognized by any UN member state.
Duale’s letter underscores Somaliland’s historical and moral case for sovereignty, marking a pivotal moment in its decades-long pursuit of international legitimacy
(Sealed official letter with envelope) Senator Ted Cruz.
Dear Senator Ted Cruze
Your Excellency,
I am Ambassador Hussein Ali Duale, former Minister of Finance of the Republic of Somaliland (2003–2010). I have served my country in various capacities, including as a diplomat, a military officer during its formative years, and later as an advisor on international recognition and foreign affairs.
I do thank you very much for your letter dated 14th August to President Trump.
Your Excellency, the people of Somaliland have traditionally been the flag bearers of Somali nationalism.
They had a dream of Greater Somalia, bringing all Somali-speaking territories under one flag, namely former British Somaliland, Italian Somalia, French Somaliland, former Somali State of Ethiopia and the Somali region of Northeastern Kenya.
In life, dreams sometimes turn into nightmares. Somaliland’s union with Somalia was a real nightmare for its people of Somaliland.
I here relate to you my personal story and those of my other colleagues. After finishing our Secondary education ten of us were sent to the United Kingdom to be trained as military officers for Somaliland Army. We left in 1958.
We got commissioned as officers in December 1960. We returned to Somaliland in December 1960, six months after Somaliland’s independence from Great Britain and union with Somalia. What struck us most, was how Somaliland was unfairly treated in their union with Somalia.
Somalia literally ignored Somaliland when forming the 1st union government on July 1, 1960.
The President was from Somalia, the Prime Minister and key ministers as Finance, Interior, Foreign, Justice, Attorney General, the Commander of the army, the Commissioner of Police, they were all from Somalia. The capital was Mogadishu. From a cabinet of 19 ministers, Somaliland got three ministers of no significance.
On 1st July 1960 when this unfair government was announced the union died in the hearts and minds of the Somaliland people.
The people of Somaliland took every peaceful step to show that they were against the union. In the referendum for the new union constitution in June 1961, 80% of the people of Somaliland voted “NO.”
Somaliland’s rejection of the constitution means that the union was null and void. Since the machines of government were in the hands of Somalia, they totally ignored the verdict of the Somaliland people.
We the ten officers decided to make a move to remedy this blatant injustice. On 10th December 1961, we staged a coup to delink Somaliland from this unholy union. Ours was the second coup in Africa.
The first was the one staged by General Mengistu Neway and his younger brother Germame Neway against the former Emperor, Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. Unfortunately, we failed.
Of the ten officers, we are the only two alive today.
H.E Ambassador Abdullahi Adan (Congo) who served as a diplomatic careers at the Arab League
Your Excellency, in Shakespeare’s Macbeth he writes: “The good that men do lives after them.”
Your unremitting efforts for our cause will always remain in the hearts and minds of our people for generations to come. I pray that the Senate Sub-committee of African Affairs will extend their support to this just cause.
Your Excellency, I take this opportunity to wish you every success in life.
Hargeisa – September 8, 2025 – The Maroodi Jeex Regional Court of Appeal has issued a new order mandating the complete blocking of the news outlets Hadhwanaagnews.com, Hadhwanaag News.ca, and Hadhwanaag TV.com.
The order, dated September 8, 2025, and signed by Judge Jariim Camar Cabdi, instructs all internet service providers operating in Hargeisa to immediately remove access to the specified websites. The directive will remain in effect indefinitely until a subsequent court order is issued.
This decision comes in response to a request filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Maroodi Jeex Region in April 2025. The court’s ruling cites a previous case (MGMJ/DDL/1107/2019) from February 8, 2025, where individuals linked to the platforms were convicted and sentenced under articles of the Penal Code. The appellants in that case received sentences of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 Somaliland Shillings each.
The Court of Appeal stated that its new blocking order is based on articles 52, 53, 54, 55, and 57 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Copies of the order have been sent to key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA), and the Chairman of the Higher Court, signaling a coordinated enforcement effort.
This move reinstates a previous blockade on the media group, effectively restricting public access to its content within Somaliland. The order does not specify an end date for the blockage, leaving the future availability of the websites contingent on a future decision by the appellate court.
