Transcript of the President’s Interview
The President of the Republic of Somaliland has given a historic and in-depth interview, focusing on Somaliland’s independence, international relations, and the economic progress achieved during his administration.
Independence and the History of the Union
The President began by affirming that Somaliland reclaimed its sovereignty on May 18, 1991. This followed a decade-long struggle in which 200,000 civilians lost their lives and a million others sought refuge in Ethiopia.
He clarified that there can be no reversal of Somaliland’s independence, as it had originally gained sovereignty from Britain on June 26, 1960. He reminded the international community that resistance to the 1960 union began almost immediately, exemplified by a coup attempt by young officers in 1961 aimed at restoring Somaliland’s separate statehood.
The President also questioned the logic of a union that included only Somaliland and Somalia. He argued that a genuine Somali nationhood would have encompassed Djibouti, the Somali regions of Ethiopia, and the Northern Frontier District (NFD) of Kenya.
Recognition by Israel and International Ties
The President disclosed that on May 17, 2025, he dispatched 193 letters to nations worldwide. It was a significant diplomatic breakthrough when Israel became the first country to extend formal recognition to Somaliland on December 26, 2025.
He firmly denied allegations that this recognition involved any quid pro quo, such as financial compensation or an agreement to accept people from Gaza, dismissing such claims as baseless rumors.
He described the recognition as a mutual and strategic necessity for both nations. Furthermore, he expressed hope that this development would encourage Arab, Muslim, African, and Latin American states to engage with Israel and, in turn, consider recognizing Somaliland in the future.
National Consensus and Economic Progress
The President praised the resilience of the Somaliland people, who, despite 30 years without widespread international recognition, have built a functional, self-reliant state through consensus and hard work. He highlighted that Somaliland maintains all sovereign institutions—including a military, police force, passports, a national currency, and a taxation system—without dependence on foreign aid.
He pointed to Hargeisa and Berbera as evidence of progress, noting they are among the most developed cities in the region today.
The Berbera Port and International Investment
A key focus was the strategic Berbera Port, a half-billion-dollar development project designed to serve landlocked nations and the wider Horn of Africa region.
The President emphasized the strong and growing strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates and DP World, which began in 2016. He extended an invitation to other nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt, to explore opportunities in Somaliland, citing its vast potential in minerals, oil, gas, livestock, and fisheries for global markets.
Regional Security and the Fight Against Terrorism
The President outlined Somaliland’s independent foreign policy, rooted in promoting peaceful coexistence and stability. While acknowledging external pressures, he asserted that Somaliland is a peaceful nation, hostile to no one, but fully prepared to defend its sovereignty.
On terrorism, he stated that every resident of Somaliland is a guardian of peace. He welcomed regional cooperation to combat this threat, though he noted a current lack of direct collaboration on security matters with Mogadishu.
Conclusion: A Call for Understanding
In closing, the President reiterated Somaliland’s readiness to build fraternal relations with all nations. He made a special appeal to Arab and Islamic brothers to re-examine their stance on Somaliland with a deeper understanding of its distinct history.
He framed the issue within the context of colonial partition, which divided the Somali people into five territories: Djibouti, Somalia, the Somali regions of Kenya, the Somali region of Ethiopia, and Somaliland. Somaliland, he noted, was the first to regain its independence. The subsequent suffering of other Somali regions, he argued, was due to violence and betrayal in their pursuit of freedom.
The President concluded with a firm principle: if the goal is a unified Somali nation, it must authentically include all five parts. If the other three (Djibouti, and the Somali territories in Kenya and Ethiopia) cannot be included, then Somaliland cannot be bound to a union with Somalia alone.
