MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected assertions by Somalia’s federal government that talks between the two sides remain active, insisting the dialogue was suspended months ago.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Somaliland said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Somaliland clarifies that there are no ongoing talks with Somalia. The Government officially suspended the dialogue earlier this year after Somalia’s blatant interference in Somaliland’s internal affairs.”
The ministry reiterated Hargeisa’s long-held position on its political status, adding: “Somaliland has never been part of the federal system created in Somalia after 2012. Somaliland restored its sovereignty in 1991 and has since maintained its own independent state institutions.”
The comments came a day after Somalia’s state minister of foreign affairs, Ali Bal’ad, told Doha News that the federal government still has talks and regular contact with Somaliland authorities and remained hopeful that an agreement could be reached.
Hargeisa sharply rejected that characterisation, stating that the “dialogue process has formally ceased. No official has the authority to distort this fact or issue misleading statements to international media for personal recognition.”
The ministry went on to accuse Mogadishu of misrepresenting the situation for political gain. “Somalia must stop circulating false claims about supposed ongoing talks. It was Somalia that disrupted and collapsed the 13-year dialogue process. Current statements only highlight that failure.”
Talks between the two sides, once facilitated by regional and international partners, have been stalled for years. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, is not internationally recognised but operates with its own government, currency and institutions. Somalia maintains that the territory remains part of its sovereign state.
The latest exchange underscores the deepening rift between Hargeisa and Mogadishu, and casts new doubt on any near-term resumption of formal dialogue.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
