HARGEISA (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro said on Saturday that his government is not at war with Somalia’s federal administration, as tensions have escalated in recent weeks.
“We are not at war with Somalia, nor do we bear any hatred toward Somalis,” President Irro said. “We exercised our right to self-determination on 18 May 1991.”
While Somaliland has long claimed independence from Mogadishu, Mr Irro acknowledged that several key areas remain under Somalia’s control, including passports, aviation rights, and the international country code.
He also appeared to reference Somalia’s recent creation of the Northeastern State – a new federal member state covering territory claimed by Somaliland.
“Somalia faces a formidable task,” he said. “Its regional states have fragmented, and they have struggled to reunify them – yet paradoxically, they are creating new ones. Is that not like the story of an old woman who could not carry her existing bundle of wood but insisted on taking on more?.”
Tensions have surged following Mogadishu’s introduction of an electronic visa (e-visa) requirement for travelers to Somaliland. Airlines have been required to enforce the new regulation, reportedly affecting even regional ministers.
In response, Somaliland warned that any carrier complying with Somalia’s e-visa rules would be banned from operating in the breakaway region.
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