The Republic of Somaliland faces a grave new threat—one not marked by tanks or insurgents, but by tweets, doctored videos, and anonymous accounts. The unchecked spread of fake news and misinformation has grown from a nuisance into a full-blown national security crisis, threatening social cohesion, institutional trust, and public safety.

Digital Chaos: Unregulated, Unchecked, Unraveling

Social media, once hailed as a democratizing force, has become a digital Wild West. Without oversight, it enables the unchecked spread of tribal propaganda, political disinformation, and fabricated content. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook have become battlegrounds of competing narratives, where falsehoods spread faster than facts.

With traditional media weakened and public trust in institutions at an all-time low, the average citizen is left to sort truth from fiction in an increasingly toxic information ecosystem.

Ministry of Information: Undertrained, Unprepared

The Ministry of Information, the body meant to safeguard the country’s communication integrity, has failed to meet the moment. Its lack of digital infrastructure, slow response times, and absence of a proactive strategy have allowed malicious actors to dominate the narrative.

Most critically, the Ministry lacks seasoned media professionals and digital communication strategists. In the modern era, experience in journalism and new media is not optional—it is essential. Without it, misinformation fills the vacuum, leaving the government to play constant catch-up.

Disinformation Has Real-World Consequences

How Misinformation Is Threatening Somaliland’s Stability

The stakes are dire. Rumors have already triggered unrest—as seen in the Burao incident, where unverified claims of prisoner releases led to protests and violence. The erosion of public trust and the weaponization of tribal grievances online present an existential threat to national unity.

Worse still, misinformation campaigns are damaging reputations and livelihoods, with no accountability. In a democracy that values its image, such chaos cannot continue unchecked.

Three Steps Somaliland Must Take Now

To confront this threat, Somaliland must act urgently on three fronts:

1. Empower Independent Journalism: The Ministry must partner with independent media to provide modern training in ethics, fact-checking, and digital tools. A free press is only useful if it’s equipped for the 21st century.

2. Pass and Implement the Media Law: This long-stalled legislation must be prioritized to protect freedom of expression while creating legal safeguards against incitement, slander, and destabilizing fake news.

3. Build a Proactive Media Task Force: The government needs a dedicated team of media professionals and technologists to manage its digital presence, debunk falsehoods in real time, and guide communication strategy with speed and credibility.

The Bottom Line

Somaliland is fighting a war of narratives—and losing. Without swift legislative action, institutional reform, and strategic communications expertise, the country risks descending into a fog of confusion and instability.

This is not just a media issue. It’s a test of governance, resilience, and national unity.

The truth must be protected. 

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Somaliland faces a growing and under-acknowledged national security threat—one not rooted in foreign aggression, but in institutional failure. Despite commanding over 800 staff and controlling the country’s primary media infrastructure, the Ministry of Information is failing to inform, engage, or protect the public from the rising tide of misinformation.

This is not simply a communication breakdown. It is a strategic vulnerability that endangers the country’s social cohesion, democratic integrity, and internal stability.

A Fortress Built for a Different War

The Ministry’s vast workforce and access to television, radio, newspapers, and social media suggest a powerful platform. In reality, it operates like an analog fortress in a digital warzone. Its traditional tools, once essential, are now hopelessly outpaced by online platforms. The Ministry’s messaging is slow, unengaging, and largely irrelevant to the digital-first public.

As rumors spread unchecked and tribal narratives dominate timelines, the official voice of Somaliland is either unheard or arrives too late. The disconnect between state communication capacity and public perception has never been wider—or more dangerous.

An Expertise Gap at the Core

At the heart of this dysfunction is a glaring absence of modern media expertise. Effective communication today requires more than press releases—it demands digital fluency, narrative strategy, real-time engagement, and data-driven decision-making. The Ministry’s current staff is not equipped for this terrain, and its leadership lacks the professional background to guide transformation.

This absence of qualified leadership is no longer tolerable. A Minister of Information without direct experience in journalism, communications, or digital media cannot credibly lead the country’s information defense. This gap is not theoretical—it’s operational, and it’s being exploited daily by unregulated actors online.

The Narrative Has Been Hijacked

Into this void step content creators, influencers, and politically motivated provocateurs. With little more than smartphones and Wi-Fi, these digital actors now control the national conversation. They shape opinions, provoke divisions, and in some cases—such as the Burao unrest—spark real-world consequences.

They are fast, fearless, and often reckless. And they are winning.

The President Must Act—Now

This is not a Ministry problem; it is a Presidential priority. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) must initiate an emergency review of the Ministry’s structure and performance. This must include a frank conversation with the current Minister of Information about the depth of the crisis and the need for drastic, immediate reforms.

Rebuilding the Ministry: Three Essential Reforms

1. Aggressive Upskilling
   Launch intensive training programs to modernize the capabilities of current staff. Equip them with tools in digital content, crisis communication, audience engagement, and fact-checking.

2. Strategic Recruitment of Media Professionals
   Hire experienced, globally trained journalists and communication strategists—especially from the diaspora or international networks. Bringing in external talent is essential to inject new thinking and rebuild credibility.

3. Adopt a Digital-First Strategy
   Prioritize real-time engagement on social media. Develop fast-response units to debunk misinformation and set the agenda instead of reacting to it.

Conclusion: Truth Is the Foundation of Security

Somaliland’s long-term security and stability depend not just on borders and institutions—but on narrative control. The Ministry of Information must transform from a passive bureaucratic relic into a strategic communication force fit for the modern age.

This is a national emergency hiding in plain sight. Ignoring it will not preserve peace—it will unravel it.

Historic Somaliland-Djibouti Summit Unlocks Strategic Path for Regional Integration and Stability.

President Irro’s return from Djibouti marks a breakthrough in Horn of Africa diplomacy, highlighting a new strategic axis with President Guelleh to champion regional peace, port development, and digital transformation.

President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro’s return to Somaliland from Djibouti marks the successful conclusion of a historic and symbolically rich state visit that redefined Somaliland’s regional engagement and elevated Djibouti’s role as a diplomatic anchor in the Horn of Africa. Over 48 hours, Presidents Irro and Ismail Omar Guelleh demonstrated not just political maturity, but a shared vision for rewriting the playbook of African regionalism.

From the moment Irro touched down at Ambouli International Airport to the moment he departed, the visit carried the weight of a purposeful diplomatic renaissance. He was welcomed with full honors by Djibouti’s Prime Minister and later hosted at the Presidential Palace for high-level talks with President Guelleh and senior ministers. The meetings were a masterclass in realpolitik, where the shared history of the two nations was fused with an ambitious blueprint for economic integration, security cooperation, and digital transformation.

The symbolism of Irro’s first regional visit being to Djibouti cannot be overstated. It sent a clear message that Somaliland is aligning itself with pragmatism, economic diplomacy, and regional interdependence. President Guelleh’s administration, long seen as the geopolitical broker in the Horn, embraced Irro with political warmth and strategic sincerity. The visit transcended protocol to deliver concrete engagement.

Highlights included Irro’s visit to Djibouti-Telecom’s submarine cable landing station, a keystone in East Africa’s digital connectivity. Djibouti’s telecom minister called it “an open gateway for shared prosperity,” and Irro’s presence there symbolized Somaliland’s intention to plug into the digital economy and interconnect with the region’s technological future.

The Somaliland delegation also held strategic dialogues with top foreign ambassadors including those of France, the UK, and Ethiopia—discussing regional security, Red Sea stability, and infrastructure investment. Irro used this platform to assert Somaliland’s proactive role in security architecture while pressing for deeper economic ties and humanitarian engagement.

Perhaps most crucially, the visit reaffirmed a mutual interest in upgrading port infrastructure and logistics coordination. Somaliland’s ports of Zeila, Bullaxar and Toqoshi, and Djibouti’s Doraleh terminal represent complementary logistics hubs that could jointly reshape the Red Sea trade corridor. Irro and Guelleh now stand as co-architects of an integrated maritime strategy.

What emerged from this landmark visit is the quiet formation of a new strategic axis between Somaliland and Djibouti—a brotherhood based on shared geography, history, and future goals. Both Presidents emerge as winners: Irro, for elevating Somaliland’s diplomatic posture with statesmanlike finesse, and Guelleh, for affirming Djibouti’s regional leadership while welcoming a neighbor often sidelined by the international system.

In a Horn of Africa often rocked by instability, this visit showcased what bold, strategic diplomacy can achieve. It marked the beginning of a deeper regional alliance built not just on politics, but on ports, people, and progress.

Brotherhood at the Palace: Irro and Guelleh Forge New Horn Alliance

Somaliland and Djibouti Forge Strategic Port Partnership

President Irro Meets Ambassadors of France, UK, and Ethiopia in Djibout

Somaliland President Irro Visits Djibouti’s Submarine Cable Hub, Eyes Digital Future for the Horn

Djibouti and Somaliland Reignite Historic Brotherhood with President Irro’s Landmark Visit

Djibouti and Somaliland reaffirm cultural unity and strategic partnership in a high-level summit led by Presidents Guelleh and Irro.

( L ) Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro ( R ) President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti at Djibouti’s Republic Palace

In the heart of Djibouti’s Republic Palace, a new chapter in the Horn of Africa’s future was quietly, but powerfully, written. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro’s state visit to Djibouti, his first regional engagement since Somaliland’s 34th Independence anniversary, was more than a diplomatic gesture. It was a symbolic reset. A declaration that the future of the region can be shaped by its sons, not dictated by distant empires or foreign bases.

President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti welcomed Irro with the highest honors, signaling an extraordinary shift in regional politics. As the two leaders exchanged views on bilateral trade, port infrastructure, cross-border security, and technological connectivity, they laid the groundwork for a strategic alliance that could disrupt the geopolitical chessboard of the Red Sea corridor.

This summit carries immense historical weight. For decades, Somaliland and Djibouti were perceived as peripheral players in East African geopolitics. But the tides are turning. Somaliland has asserted its de facto independence with democratic resilience and economic ambition, while Djibouti has evolved into a critical global logistics hub, hosting bases from world powers and controlling key maritime chokepoints.

President Irro’s tour of Djibouti-Telecom’s submarine cable landing station is emblematic of this emerging paradigm. “We are proud to share our expertise and strengthen cooperation with our neighbors for an interconnected digital future,” said Djibouti’s Minister of Communications, Radwan Abdillahi Bahdon. In these words lies the blueprint for an East African renaissance driven not by handouts but by high-speed infrastructure, shared vision, and strategic unity.

Minister Ilyas M. Dawaleh of Djibouti echoed the sentiment with a powerful welcome message: “Djibouti and Somaliland are two branches of the same tree. Brothers and sisters, God created us, and we will always be.” This fraternal rhetoric isn’t mere poetry; it’s a policy stance. It paves the way for deeper cooperation in energy, trade, education, and regional diplomacy—all led by Africans with a stake in the outcome.

With Ethiopia reasserting its maritime ambitions and foreign actors scrambling to consolidate influence across the Horn, the Irro-Guelleh alliance offers an indigenous counterbalance rooted in shared history and mutual respect. By tightening bilateral frameworks, formalizing trade routes, and harmonizing border security, Somaliland and Djibouti can anchor stability in a region often painted by instability.

This alliance is not just a diplomatic footnote. It’s a bold reimagining of African agency. If sustained, it can redefine how sovereignty, cooperation, and innovation converge in the Horn. It could mark the beginning of a new African order—one written not in colonial capitals, but in Hargeisa and Djibouti City. The Horn is no longer a battleground. Under Irro and Guelleh, it could become a beacon.

In a landmark speech marking the 34th anniversary of Somaliland’s declaration of restored independence, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro delivered a powerful message of clarity, conviction, and global outreach. His words—deliberate and unapologetic—sent an unmissable signal to both domestic audiences and international powers: Somaliland is sovereign, stable, and here to stay.

President Irro’s address was not merely ceremonial. It was strategic. It was a declaration of intent.

He began by anchoring Somaliland’s identity in historical truth. From British colonial rule to the ill-fated union with Italian Somalia, the President reaffirmed that Somaliland’s decision to reassert its independence in 1991 was neither a rebellion nor secession—it was a legitimate reversal of an unratified union that cost its people dearly in blood and dignity.

“Somaliland controls its affairs and charts its future—without proxies,” Irro declared, forcefully rejecting any notion that foreign interests shape the destiny of his country. It was a reaffirmation of national agency in a region too often defined by external manipulation.

But while the tone was defiant, the President’s vision was not insular.

He laid out a compelling foreign policy doctrine rooted in peace, mutual respect, and partnership. “Somaliland is open to all nations who seek cooperation and mutual benefit,” Irro affirmed, extending a hand of friendship to existing partners and potential investors. His recognition of Ethiopia, Kenya, UAE, Taiwan, the UK, the US, and Djibouti as key bilateral allies signaled a shift from passive diplomacy to proactive alliance-building.

The most poignant moment came as President Irro revealed that he had written to heads of state across the world, urging them to formally recognize Somaliland’s de facto statehood as de jure independence. “We are ready. The world can no longer pretend we do not exist,” he said, encapsulating the national mood.

Irro’s message was not only directed outward but also inward. He called for national unity, warning against the corrosive effects of tribalism, and emphasized that the defense of the nation is not just a government obligation—it is a duty shared by all Somalilanders.

He elevated the role of the diaspora, calling them “our ambassadors abroad”, and praised Somaliland women as the torchbearers of national resilience. His promise to integrate them more fully into governance signals a progressive turn in domestic policy. For the youth, he offered both challenge and hope: abandon division and rise to the responsibility of leading tomorrow’s Somaliland.

The event itself—held in Hargeisa’s central square and attended by dignitaries, former leaders, foreign envoys, and all branches of state and society—was a show of national unity, military strength, and cultural pride. It was Somaliland’s declaration to the world that it is not waiting for recognition—it is commanding it.

Analysis:
President Irro’s speech marks a pivotal shift from defensive nationalism to strategic assertiveness. It reflects a maturing leadership style aimed at transitioning Somaliland from a diplomatic underdog to a rising regional actor. With foreign investments increasing and global alliances expanding, Irro is redefining what it means to lead an unrecognized state in the 21st century: you don’t beg for legitimacy—you prove it, daily, through peace, stability, and vision.

In this 34th year, Somaliland doesn’t just remember its past—it demands its future. And President Irro is placing himself at the forefront of that demand.

A Call to World Leaders and Investors to Recognize and Engage with Somaliland’s Untapped Potential.

In a world increasingly defined by strategic realignment, energy transitions, and global insecurity, there lies one overlooked nation that defies every stereotype of its region: the Republic of Somaliland.

For 34 years, Somaliland has done what few African or Arab countries have achieved: sustained peace, democratic governance, regional stability, and a viable economy — all without international recognition. Now, as global powers scramble to secure rare earth minerals, dominate Red Sea trade routes, and court reliable partners in volatile zones, Somaliland emerges not as a charity case, but as a frontline opportunity.

To world leaders: Somaliland is the anchor of stability in the Horn of Africa. As Somalia reels under the weight of terrorism and internal discord, Somaliland has proven itself a democratic bulwark. With five peaceful elections, a functioning judiciary, and local ownership of its peace processes, Somaliland meets and exceeds many benchmarks required of fully recognized states. It is time the international community honored the facts on the ground.

To investors: Somaliland is more than geopolitically relevant—it is commercially irresistible. The Berbera Port, developed in partnership with DP World as a strategic logistics hub.

The newly discovered 150-million-barrel oil reserve and untapped rare earth minerals position Somaliland as a future critical mineral supplier. Its mining-friendly geography and growing energy sector offer high returns in a region primed for industrial acceleration.

To Somalilanders: The world is watching, and your determination has laid the foundation of a nation that stands tall without asking for pity. You have defended your sovereignty not just with arms but with ballots, books, and business plans. Continue to innovate, educate, and build. Your resilience is your greatest resource.

This is Somaliland’s moment. For policymakers in Washington, London, Brussels, and Jerusalem, it is a moment to act. Strategic partnerships, not symbolic aid, are needed. Recognition should not be held hostage by outdated politics.

For global investors, it’s a first-mover advantage. Engage now, and benefit from a nation hungry for transformation and partnership.

For Somalilanders, this is your era to rise, to lead, and to show the world that legitimacy is not given — it is earned.

Somaliland: Unrecognized by the world, but undeniable in its potential.

A viral wave of YouTube propaganda has swept through Somaliland over the past seven days, pushing a disturbing narrative: that the future of Somaliland lies in the hands of a military strongman modeled after Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré.

But behind the glorified clips of junta rule and flashy edits praising “African resistance,” lies something far more dangerous: a foreign information warfare campaign rooted in Moscow.

WARYATV’s investigation has identified more than 17 Somaliland-based Social Media channels actively promoting anti-Western, pro-military content that mimics Russian disinformation operations previously seen in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

The common thread? A mix of radical anti-democracy rhetoric, glorification of Russian mercenary groups, and subtle calls for a new leadership model in Somaliland—one that mirrors the juntas Russia now props up in the Sahel.

Saleban Ismail Hashin, a prominent Somaliland political and military analyst, warns that these campaigns are not merely a “trend” but a psychological warfare operation aimed at destabilizing the region. “It is terrifying to see how Traoré is being presented as the ‘ideal Somali leader’ by YouTubers from Hargeisa to London,” he told WARYATV. “These are young minds being manipulated by edited footage, fake subtitles, and Russian-fed narratives.”

In a now-viral Somali-language video posted March 19, Traoré is depicted as a pan-African savior, with calls for Somaliland to “rise against the elites” and “reject colonial puppets” — coded language eerily similar to that used by Russian-funded networks in West Africa.

Our investigation reveals that some of the accounts involved recycle content from a now-defunct propaganda network linked to Jean Claude Sendeoli, a deceased Central African propagandist known for early Russia-Africa disinfo collaboration.

A Hybrid Warfront Arrives in Hargeisa

This is the first documented case tying Somaliland directly to Moscow’s hybrid warfare strategy in Africa. The same Russia that failed to prevent mass killings and insurgencies in the Sahel is now turning its attention east. The pattern is familiar: misinformation, local influencer recruitment, chaos, and ultimately resource extraction.

According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (2024), Russia is responsible for more than 80 of 200 known state-backed disinformation campaigns across the continent. China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar trail far behind. But Somaliland now finds itself caught in the web.

From Troll Farms to TikTok in Hargeisa

Ayan Ali, an East African intelligence analyst who monitors social networks from Hargeisa, says Russia’s digital strategy is no longer top-down. “It’s evolved into a network of decentralized actors. You get the original framing from Moscow, but the delivery comes from local influencers who dress it in nationalist and religious language,” she explained to WARYATV.

“They’re not speaking in Kremlin slogans,” she adds. “They’re saying, ‘Somaliland deserves a new revolutionary path.’ That makes it harder to detect and easier to swallow.”

Shaking the Somaliland Elite

This should be a wake-up call for Somaliland’s political class. The silence of those who should know better is deafening. Young people, disillusioned by unemployment and tribal deadlock, are being pulled toward narratives that promise purity through authoritarianism. The danger is not hypothetical. It’s uploading right now on your child’s phone.

Traoré is not the future of Somaliland. But unless leaders act fast to counter this digital insurgency, the next generation may believe otherwise.

As Europe marks VE Day’s 80th anniversary, Somaliland’s sacrifices remain sidelined despite its troops’ loyalty in Britain’s darkest hour.

Thousands of Somaliland soldiers fought alongside British forces in WWII. On VE Day’s 80th anniversary, their bravery remains largely unrecognized—sparking calls for historical justice.

As Britain and its allies commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day—marking the defeat of Nazi Germany—one crucial chapter remains missing from the global remembrance: the story of Somaliland’s forgotten heroes.

In a heartfelt interview with Nation.Cymru, Professor Eid Ali Ahmed, a Somaliland-born academic based in Wales, expressed profound dismay over the continued erasure of thousands of Somaliland soldiers who fought alongside British forces during World War II.

“It is a shame that the people of Somaliland who gave their blood for peace and freedom are not being remembered while others are honored,” Professor Eid said.

History Buried in Silence

In 1940, the Italian military launched a powerful assault on the British Protectorate of Somaliland, forcing a temporary retreat of British forces to Aden. It was a humiliating setback, but one that set the stage for an extraordinary counteroffensive. Within six months, Britain returned—this time with critical support from local Somaliland fighters—reclaiming the territory and pushing back the Italian and Somali forces loyal to Mussolini.

Despite these sacrifices, Somaliland veterans were never granted the same honors or pensions awarded to European troops. Notably, even Italian forces, once enemies of the Allies, have been more visibly acknowledged in VE Day ceremonies.

The Camel Corps and the Unsung Bravery

One of the most iconic units in this overlooked history is the Somaliland Camel Corps, a rugged desert battalion that helped hold back fascist expansion across East Africa. While Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a monument to this unit in 2002, broader recognition for their sacrifices remains alarmingly absent.

Cemeteries in Hargeisa hold the names of fallen Somaliland soldiers, but their stories are not embedded in global memory. Even on VE Day’s 80th anniversary, their legacy was invisible amid the pomp and ceremony afforded to other Allied nations.

A Legacy of Loyalty—and Neglect

Professor Eid recounted the contributions of Somali troops not just in Africa but also in Burma and Tanganyika, where they supported British forces. Their involvement stretched into modern conflicts—serving as seafarers during the 1982 Falklands War.

Among those who recognized their valor was Captain Richard Darlington, a British officer so moved by Somali soldiers’ bravery that he settled in Somaliland post-war, dedicating his life to education. He received an MBE and OBE, founded Amoud High School, and was affectionately nicknamed Gacmadheere (long hand) for his charitable work.

Professor Eid, once Darlington’s student, now leads the Darlington Gacmadheere Foundation—offering scholarships to underprivileged Somaliland students. Yet even this living legacy struggles to fill the void left by Britain’s institutional silence.

“It is time,” says Professor Eid, “for Somaliland’s veterans to be honored—not just in stone, but in public memory, textbooks, and history.”

Eighty years after VE Day, the people of Somaliland continue to ask one simple thing: Remember us.