Somaliland President Urges Somalia, Djibouti to Respect Independence

HARGEISA – The president of the breakaway northwestern region of Somalia, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, used the occasion of Eid al-Adha to issue a political message to both Somalia and Djibouti, calling on the two nations to formally recognize what he terms “Somaliland’s independence” and to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.

President Irro joined numerous worshippers for Eid prayers at the Grand Jama Mosque in Hargeisa, delivering a speech that blended Islamic teachings on social harmony, peace, and stability with distinct political objectives aimed at bolstering the region’s claims of sovereignty.

Eid Message Centers on Unity, Patience, and National Defense

In his address, the regional leader extended holiday greetings to citizens and urged the populace to reinforce their faith, social bonds, and collaborative efforts within the community. He characterized Eid al-Adha as a time that imparts lessons in patience, compassion, and assistance for disadvantaged groups, highlighting the significance of unity and peaceful coexistence in maintaining stability.

President Irro also called upon residents of the breakaway region to collaborate with security agencies to protect peace and advancement across all areas under its administration. During his political statements, the president emphasized what he described as the critical importance of preserving the “existence of the Somaliland nation,” urging citizens to unite in defense of the region’s future and political goals. Irro has previously declared that international recognition of the self-declared republic is accelerating, insisting that numerous nations are advancing toward formal endorsement following Israel’s recognition.

Accusations Against Somalia and Djibouti

President Irro accused Somalia and Djibouti of meddling in the breakaway region’s internal affairs and demanded that both governments recognize its political standing. The comments arrive amidst ongoing political disputes concerning the region’s status and its connections with the Federal Government of Somalia.

The remarks specifically targeting Djibouti are particularly significant given the history of fluctuating relations between the breakaway region and Djibouti. Authorities in Somaliland recently blocked Djibouti’s flag carrier from landing in the territory, sharply escalating a diplomatic dispute that intensified after Israel recognized Somaliland. The ban followed reciprocal steps, with Somaliland pulling its representative from Djibouti and Djibouti announcing the closure of Somaliland’s liaison office, which had operated since 2012.

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh has characterized relations with Irro’s administration as “cold,” revealing that his government has actively refused meetings and high-level engagement with the new Hargeisa leadership since Israel’s controversial recognition of the breakaway region. Guelleh has also warned that the potential establishment of an Israeli military base in the strategic port city of Berbera would directly threaten stability throughout the Horn of Africa.

Recognition Campaign Intensifies Amid Regional Tensions

The speech demonstrates the breakaway region’s wider approach of positioning itself as a secure, autonomously governed political entity deserving of global acknowledgment. Israeli President Isaac Herzog officially received the credentials of Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi, in a ceremony held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on May 18, a move Israel described as the beginning of an “important new partnership.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in Hargeisa for a historic official visit in January 2026, marking the first high-level engagement between the two nations following Israel’s landmark decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent sovereign nation. The Federal Government of Somalia reacted with immediate and intense condemnation, characterizing the visit as an “unauthorized incursion” and a “blatant assault” on its national sovereignty.

International Condemnation and Federal Government Response

The recognition push has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community. The foreign ministers of 16 Arab and Islamic nations have strongly condemned the opening of a purported Somaliland embassy in occupied Jerusalem, describing the move as illegal, unacceptable, and a flagrant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions. The ministers further emphasized their full support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed a joint communiqué from 15 Arab and Muslim nations, asserting that the criticism is insincere and disregards Somaliland’s legal and historical position. The ministry stated that “Somaliland is a sovereign state grounded in state continuity, having attained independence on June 26, 1960.”

The African Union Commission has separately expressed strong condemnation of Israel’s decision and reiterated that the AU does not recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, warning that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland is null and void and risks undermining regional stability. The Federal Government of Somalia has consistently opposed any international engagement with the breakaway region that might imply recognition of its self-declared independence.

Eid festivities in Hargeisa featured substantial public assemblies, structured events, and involvement from government authorities, religious figures, and ordinary citizens, underscoring the region’s capacity to mobilize public support behind its political leadership.