By Goth Mohamed Goth
HARGEISA — Somaliland’s President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), has declared that the nation has moved beyond state-building and internal peace consolidation to enter a new phase focused squarely on securing international recognition.
In an interview with the Financial Times in Hargeisa, President Irro reflected on Somaliland’s lengthy, home-grown nation-building process, which he stated was a collaborative effort between its citizens and successive governments. Since his election in 2024, he said, his administration has built upon the foundational work of his predecessors, continuing to present Somaliland’s comprehensive legal, historical, and political case to the world.
The lack of recognition, President Irro explained, remains a significant barrier to unlocking international economic opportunities, particularly in trade and investment. This status, he noted, fundamentally limits Somaliland’s ability to engage with global markets and forge economic partnerships.
He further emphasized that Somaliland’s renowned peace and stability were achieved through the unique, grassroots efforts of its people, who historically convened under trees to negotiate and resolve conflicts. These indigenous peace accords ultimately paved the way for the creation of a constitution, governing institutions, and the reassertion of Somaliland’s independence in 1991.
President Irro also highlighted Somaliland’s track record of conducting successive free and fair elections—a practice he described as a rarity on the African continent and a clear demonstration of the nation’s deep-rooted democratic commitment.
