MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A former Turkish ambassador to Somalia has said that Somaliland’s growing push for international recognition is being fuelled by persistent insecurity and political instability in southern Somalia, warning that failure in Mogadishu is inadvertently strengthening the breakaway region’s claims for independence.
Speaking on Wednesday, C. Kani Torun, a seasoned Turkish diplomat and former envoy to Mogadishu, placed the blame squarely on the federal government, stating that Somaliland’s case for separation is being fed and grown by the dysfunction in Somalia’s south.
“Somaliland’s independence is not realistic in terms of ethnicity, religion sect and language. There is no difference between Somaliland and other parts of Somalia on above criteria” Torun said.
He warned that legitimizing Somaliland’s independence on the basis of clan identity would set a dangerous precedent for Africa.
“There is only one difference which is clan and federalism would perfectly suit. If every clan gets an independent state, Africa would have more than 500 states,”
Torun added that the main problem in the “Somalia–Somaliland issue is Mogadishu” itself, arguing that if Somalia’s government could resolve its political and security woes, the rationale for Somaliland’s secessionist ambitions would diminish significantly.
“If Mogadishu solve political and security problems for other parts of Somalia, Somaliland would not have strong case for independence. So blaming Somaliland doesn’t help, let’s make Mogadishu works,” he said.
His comments come amid renewed debate in the West over Somaliland’s status, particularly in Washington, where several lawmakers have recently voiced support for formal recognition of the self-declared republic.
Just a day earlier, former U.S. ambassador to Somalia Larry André, who served from 2022 to 2023, cautioned against U.S. recognition of Somaliland, warning such a move would strain ties with the Somali federal government, the African Union, and regional partners in the Horn of Africa. He also expressed concern over the destabilising impact on Somalia’s complex clan dynamics.
André instead advised Washington to adopt a more cautious approach: either maintain the current policy of non-engagement on the issue or consider opening a liaison office in Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
Last week, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz added his voice to calls for recognition, urging President Donald Trump to formally acknowledge Somaliland as an independent nation. Cruz praised Somaliland for its democratic governance, close ties with the U.S. and Taiwan, and its strategic role in protecting Red Sea shipping lanes amid mounting threats from Houthi militants.
“Somaliland faces mounting pressure from adversaries, due in no small part to its role as a partner for the United States and our allies. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using economic and diplomatic coercion to punish Somaliland for its support for Taiwan, as well as to undermine that support”, Cruz said, describing the territory as a steadfast partner that deserves recognition for its contributions to regional security and American interests.
He is one of several Western lawmakers in both the United States and the United Kingdom who have, over the years, introduced motions or spoken in favour of Somaliland’s recognition. While such efforts have yet to bear fruit, they have increasingly brought the region into the spotlight, raising its profile among global policymakers and media.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. Though it operates with its own government, currency, and institutions, it remains unrecognised internationally, with the United Nations and African Union maintaining support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
