MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland has sharply criticized Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s recent appeal to the Somali diaspora in the United Kingdom to protest outside the British Parliament in a bid to block potential recognition of the breakaway region.
Speaking on Friday, Somaliland Presidency Spokesman Hussein Deyr described the Prime Minister’s call as a reflection of Mogadishu’s frustration, “desperation” and denial of Somaliland’s political and “democratic” progress.
“The Somali government is attempting to obscure the reality of Somaliland – a stable, democratic, and self-governing state that has held multiple free and fair elections and maintained peace for decades. These are achievements Somalia has yet to attain,” Deyr stated.
MORE RELATED STORIES
US congressman introduces bill to recognize Somaliland as independent state
Somaliland’s new FM says he has yet to see controversial MoU with Ethiopia
Somaliland leader meets Kenyan president as Nairobi quietly elevates diplomatic ties
He reiterated that Somaliland has proven itself to be self-reliant and governed by the rule of law, in stark contrast to what he characterized as widespread violence, corruption, and dependence on foreign aid in Somalia.
“Somaliland’s recognition is not merely a plea; it is a reality whose time has come,” Deyr added.
The comments come amid escalating diplomatic efforts by the Somali federal government to thwart international recognition of Somaliland, which has functioned as a de facto independent state since the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991.
Mogadishu has reportedly spent millions of dollars lobbying in Washington to persuade the U.S. government not to recognize Somaliland.
Tensions erupted between Somalia and Ethiopian in 2024 after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a controversial Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland’s then-president Muse Bihi Abdi. The agreement would grant Ethiopia access to a portion of Somaliland’s Red Sea coastline for the construction of a naval base in exchange for potential formal recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
