MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has traveled to Qatar in his first official visit to the Gulf state—marking the first time a leader from the breakaway region has been officially received in Doha.
The trip comes at the invitation of the Qatari government and is seen as part of Doha’s renewed efforts to mediate dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia.
President Irro’s visit follows a recent call by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud urging Somaliland to return to the negotiating table. Previous talks between the two sides have repeatedly failed to make substantial progress over the past decade.
Throughout his presidential campaign, Irro emphasized that Somaliland’s long-sought international recognition could only be achieved through direct dialogue with Somalia. He rejected aggressive rhetoric and the practice of lobbying foreign capitals without a solid diplomatic foundation.
However, in recent months, his administration has signaled openness to the idea that the United States could recognize Somaliland—reportedly in exchange for allowing Washington to establish a military base in the strategic Red Sea port city of Berbera.
In Doha, President Irro is expected to hold high-level talks with Qatari officials to explore the establishment of bilateral diplomatic and economic relations—similar to the longstanding partnership Somaliland maintains with the United Arab Emirates, particularly in the areas of security and infrastructure development.
The visit has drawn mixed reactions within Somaliland. Some political analysts argue that renewed talks with Somalia might complicate or delay any potential U.S. recognition—especially amid speculation about a possible shift in U.S. policy under the current Trump administration.
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