President Irro Calls on UK to Recognize Somaliland in Telegraph Interview

HARGEISA – President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has formally called upon the United Kingdom to grant international recognition to the breakaway region of Somaliland, arguing in a detailed interview with The Daily Telegraph that the territory has already fulfilled all legal conditions for statehood and should be acknowledged as a sovereign nation.

The appeal, published on May 24, 2026, marks a significant escalation in Somaliland’s three-decade campaign for diplomatic legitimacy, coming just days after British MP Sir Gavin Williamson released a report titled “Roadmap to Recognition” under the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Somaliland, which urged London to formally recognize Hargeisa as an independent state. The report outlined legal, political and strategic arguments for recognition, including Somaliland’s sustained governance structures and peaceful elections.

British Historical Ties Invoked as Moral Obligation

In his conversation with the British newspaper, President Irro detailed Somaliland’s political evolution during the last 35 years, emphasizing the creation of democratic systems, consistent electoral processes, governmental frameworks and security measures since the region separated from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government in Mogadishu.

The head of state underscored Somaliland’s extensive historical connections with Britain, rooted in the former British Somaliland Protectorate that existed before the brief union with Italian Somalia in 1960. Irro contended that London bears a moral and political obligation to acknowledge Somaliland if it truly champions democratic principles, political stability and freedom of speech. Williamson has previously emphasized the region’s successful democratic processes and peaceful transfer of power, contrasting them with the instability in neighboring areas. “Following a free and fair election as well as a peaceful transition of power – unlike so many of its neighbors – it is now time for the UK to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation,” Williamson has stated.

President Irro emphasized that Somaliland fulfills the parameters outlined in the Montevideo Convention, encompassing defined territorial boundaries, a settled population, a functioning administration and the ability to maintain foreign relations. Irro has previously declared that Somaliland’s three-decade quest for recognition was nearing a decisive stage, pledging to intensify diplomatic efforts to cement the region’s case on the global stage.

Strategic Location and Economic Ambitions

The Somaliland president also drew attention to the territory’s strategic significance in the Horn of Africa, particularly its proximity to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which ranks among the world’s most active maritime channels. According to the Telegraph account, Somaliland’s coastline extends approximately 530 miles along the Gulf of Aden, adjacent to a shipping lane where a substantial portion of worldwide commerce transits. The piece mentioned increasing security apprehensions in the area due to attacks associated with Houthi forces in neighboring waters.

President Irro also addressed economic prospects, including ongoing investigations of natural resources such as gold and other minerals. The report also featured the expansion of Berbera Port, where DP World has substantially invested in port facilities. British International Investment (BII), the UK government’s development finance arm, co-owns a strategic stake in Berbera Port alongside DP World and the Somaliland government. An impact assessment commissioned by the UK Foreign Office described Berbera as “a strategic gateway to Somaliland and a potential alternative trade corridor for Ethiopia.” For Somaliland, Berbera Port has become a central economic asset, with BII estimating that by 2035 the port could facilitate trade equivalent to nearly 27 percent of Somaliland’s gross domestic product and 75 percent of its total trade, while indirectly supporting about 53,000 jobs.

Israel’s Recognition Opens New Diplomatic Front

The Telegraph interview confirmed that Somaliland sustains friendly relations with Israel. President Irro stated his intention to undertake an official visit to Israel later in the year. Such a trip would follow significant diplomatic milestones. Irro met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026, marking the highest-level public engagement since Israel recognized Somaliland as an independent state. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar traveled to Hargeisa in January 2026, the first official trip by an Israeli foreign minister to Somaliland. Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognize Somaliland on December 26, 2025.

President Irro also refuted claims suggesting Somaliland endorsed Argentina’s position regarding the Falkland Islands, reaffirming support for British governance of the region. He additionally highlighted Somaliland’s accomplishment in organizing democratic elections and addressing piracy and extremist elements, portraying the region as a dependable regional ally.

London’s Official Position Remains Unchanged

Despite the high-profile appeal and growing parliamentary support, the UK government’s official position remains unchanged. The United Kingdom has formally reaffirmed its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Somalia, stating that any change to Somaliland’s status depends on mutual agreement between Mogadishu and Hargeisa through dialogue, conforming to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Critics have accused London of playing a double game in the Horn of Africa. While officially backing Somalia’s territorial integrity, the UK government co-owns Berbera Port in the breakaway region. Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, a Sudanese policy analyst, told Al Jazeera that when words and actions diverge, “they stop treating you as a broker and start treating you as an interest manager.”

Mogadishu Maintains Firm Rejection of Secession

Somalia’s federal government has consistently and vehemently rejected Somaliland’s independence claim. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has issued sharp rebukes to British parliamentarians who have voiced support for Somaliland’s independence ambitions, warning that such “foreign interference” threatens national sovereignty. In a strongly-worded statement, Barre described advocacy by UK lawmakers as “deeply concerning,” urging Somalis to stand united against what he described as attempts to “divide the country.”

Any modification in Britain’s stance would likely result in significant political repercussions throughout the Horn of Africa. The African Union and United Nations have encouraged dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa but have not endorsed Somaliland’s sovereignty. The interview indicates Somaliland’s attempt to enhance its diplomatic profile globally by associating its recognition campaign with broader geopolitical and economic concerns rather than depending exclusively on historical or political justifications.