Hargeisa, January 12, 2026 – The Republic of Somaliland has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as “reckless and dangerous” statements attributed to Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, who reportedly urged Saudi Arabia to launch a military intervention against the breakaway territory.
In a sharply worded press release from its Ministry of Defence, Somaliland expressed “profound alarm” over the remarks, calling them a direct incitement to external aggression and a violation of international law.
“Somaliland is a self-governing, peaceful polity,” the statement read. “Publicly advocating for military action against us represents a grave violation of international norms and an unacceptable escalation that endangers the entire region’s stability.”
The ministry invoked Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against a state’s territorial integrity or political independence. It warned that the call for aggression threatens not only Somaliland but also the fragile security of the Horn of Africa.
Officials in Hargeisa framed the incident as part of a troubling pattern, accusing Minister Fiqi of repeatedly using “inflammatory and divisive rhetoric” aimed at Somaliland, including in recent international forums, thereby undermining peaceful dialogue.
The statement struck a deeply emotional chord, linking the current threat to historical trauma. It recalled the “dark legacy” of the Siad Barre regime in the late 1980s, a period marked by foreign-backed military campaigns that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Somalilanders.
“For our people, such threats are not abstract. They are painful echoes of a genocide we survived. Any suggestion of renewed external military action is both alarming and profoundly irresponsible,” the Defence Ministry asserted.
The release concluded with an unequivocal declaration of Somaliland’s resolve: “Our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security are non-negotiable. Any attempt to instigate aggression against Somaliland will be met with a firm and lawful response.”
Somaliland called upon the Federal Government of Somalia and Minister Fiqi to immediately retract the statements. It also urged the international community to condemn the rhetoric and uphold principles of peace and non-aggression.
While reaffirming its commitment to regional peace and cooperation, Somaliland’s government made clear that it stands ready to defend itself against any aggression.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since maintained its own government, currency, and security forces, though it has not gained widespread international recognition.
