By Jama Ayaanle Feyte
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Federal Government of Somalia has moved swiftly to clarify its foreign policy regarding the Cyprus dispute, reaffirming that its long-standing position remains intact and fully aligned with international law. The clarification comes in response to a recent social media post by a senior Somali official that had sparked diplomatic speculation.
In an official statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Somalia continues to uphold the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. The government stressed that its policy is guided by the Charter of the United Nations and pertinent Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984), which declare the secessionist entity in northern Cyprus legally invalid and call on all states to refrain from recognizing it.
The statement was issued after a message posted on social media by the Speaker of the House of the People, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, appeared to acknowledge the parliament of the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC)—a breakaway state recognized only by Turkey. The post, which was later removed from the official parliamentary account, had prompted concerns that Mogadishu might be shifting its diplomatic posture.
Addressing the matter directly, the Ministry categorically stated that the communication was a personal expression and does not represent the official policy of the Federal Government of Somalia. “It shall not be interpreted as any change in the country’s foreign policy,” the Ministry asserted, adding that no formal decision has been made to alter Somalia’s decades-old position on the Cyprus question.
The incident carries particular diplomatic weight for Somalia, which itself faces comparable challenges to its territorial integrity. The internationally recognized government in Mogadishu has been locked in a sustained campaign against external recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland, following Israel’s formal acknowledgment of Somaliland’s independence in December 2025—a move Somalia vehemently rejected as a violation of its sovereignty.
In a related development, authorities in Somaliland had reportedly used the speaker’s initial post as a diplomatic opening, urging Cyprus and Greece to consider reciprocal recognition. However, Mogadishu’s prompt clarification appears to have closed that avenue.
The Somali government’s reaffirmation was welcomed in Nicosia. The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its approval of the Somali statement, underscoring that respect for international law and the territorial integrity of states remains a cornerstone of its own foreign policy.
Concluding its statement, Somalia reiterated its support for a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus dispute, advocating for a negotiated settlement through dialogue between the two communities, facilitated by United Nations-mediated efforts and in full compliance with international legal frameworks and Security Council resolutions
