MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has welcomed remarks made by former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who recently praised the region’s development and appeared to signal support for its ongoing push for international recognition.
Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, President Irro commended Roble for what he described as honest and courageous comments, interpreting them as support for Somaliland’s right to self-determination.
“I congratulate those Somali politicians who have acknowledged Somaliland’s strides in development and stability, chief among them former Prime Minister Roble,” said President Irro. “To those who remain envious of Somaliland’s progress and speak of undermining it with insecurity or threats, we urge them to follow the example of those choosing the path of reason and peace.”
The remarks come days after former Prime Minister Roble publicly accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of obstructing Somaliland’s progress and opposing its aspirations for independence. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Roble said Somaliland should “keep moving forward” – a phrase that sparked controversy and drew varied interpretations.
While some interpreted the comment as a general endorsement of continued development, others, including allies of the Somali federal government, viewed it as implicit support for Somaliland’s secession.
In response, Somalia’s Minister of Defence Ahmed Moalim Fiqi sharply criticised the former premier, calling his remarks shameful and a betrayal of Somalia’s territorial integrity.
“It is disgraceful for a former Prime Minister to support efforts that threaten the unity of the Somali nation,” Fiqi said. “Roble is a man whose words carry no weight – his mind is often elsewhere.”
Somaliland, a self-declared republic in the north of Somalia, has operated independently since 1991 following the collapse of the central government. Though it maintains its own government, military, and currency, Somaliland has not received international recognition despite repeated appeals to the global community.
The political friction over Somaliland’s status remains a sensitive and divisive issue within Somali politics, with increasing voices – both in favour and against – emerging across the Horn of Africa.
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