Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has issued a sharp rebuke to foreign diplomats over statements made during Somaliland’s recent presidential elections, accusing them of undermining Somalia’s sovereignty and unity. The remarks, made during visits to Somaliland’s capital Hargeisa, have reignited tensions over the disputed region’s quest for independence and Somalia’s insistence on territorial integrity.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for diplomats on Saturday, Fiqi singled out foreign ambassadors for referring to Somaliland as a separate country, a characterization Somalia’s federal government firmly opposes.
Western Diplomats Applaud Somaliland’s Elections, Urge Candidates to Respect Results
“Unfortunately, ambassadors make statements there while failing to acknowledge they are representatives to Somalia properly,” Fiqi said. “Some even referred to Somaliland as a country, which contradicts Somalia’s territorial integrity.”
Fiqi revealed that Denmark’s ambassador had been summoned to Mogadishu as part of an escalating diplomatic protest. Warning other foreign envoys, he added, “Future statements regarding Somaliland must clearly state it is a region of Somalia. Failing to do so will lead to appropriate measures.”
Brenthurst Foundation Observes “Free, Fair, and Credible” Somaliland Elections Amidst Challenges
International observers, including representatives from the United Kingdom, Denmark, and other nations, praised Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) for organizing peaceful and transparent elections. Voting took place in key cities like Hargeisa, Boroma, Berbera, and Gabiley, highlighting Somaliland’s continued efforts to strengthen its self-governance and democratic credentials.
British Ambassador Mike Nithavrianakis, speaking on behalf of international partners, commended the electoral process during his visit. However, his remarks, viewed as diplomatically sensitive, provoked anger in Mogadishu.
This is not the first time Nithavrianakis has faced criticism from Somali officials. In August 2024, Fiqi accused him of perpetuating the narrative of a divided Somalia by referring to Somalia and Somaliland separately during comments about a U.K.-funded humanitarian program.
“The fragmentation of a unified entity and its reclassification under two distinct names is utterly unacceptable and constitutes a blatant attack on Somalia’s sovereignty and unity,” Fiqi said at the time.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia’s central government, has functioned as a independent state for over three decades. Despite establishing its own democratic institutions and conducting regular elections, Somaliland remains unrecognized by the international community.
Somalia’s federal government, however, continues to view Somaliland as an integral part of a unified nation. In June, the Somali parliament identified separatism as one of eight key national security threats, alongside terrorism, foreign interference, and climate change.
This dichotomy creates an enduring tension in diplomatic interactions, particularly as international organizations and foreign governments engage with both Somaliland and Somalia for humanitarian and development work.
Organizations like the HALO Trust, a U.K.-based demining group, have operated in both Somalia and Somaliland since 1999, navigating the fraught political landscape to provide critical humanitarian support. However, foreign engagement in Somaliland often triggers accusations from Mogadishu of implicit recognition of the region’s independence.
Fiqi’s latest warning underscores Somalia’s increasingly assertive stance on the issue, urging diplomats to align their language and actions with Mogadishu’s claims of sovereignty.
As Somaliland continues to pursue international recognition, its elections provide an opportunity to showcase stability and governance that contrast with Somalia’s ongoing struggles with insecurity and political fragmentation.
Yet, Mogadishu’s diplomatic pushback reflects broader fears of fragmentation and the precedent Somaliland’s independence might set for other regions within Somalia.
This renewed clash highlights the delicate balancing act foreign diplomats must navigate in Somalia, as they seek to support democratic processes and humanitarian initiatives without exacerbating political tensions or jeopardizing bilateral relations.
Jubbaland and Farmaajo Reject Somalia’s Electoral Commission Law as Unconstitutional
Foreign Minister Faces Explosive Allegations of Corruption and Mismanagement
