Somaliland President Presses EU for Special Partnership, Citing Security Gains and Sovereignty.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi hosted the European Union’s ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Di Mauro, and a high-level delegation at the Presidential Palace, using the meeting to underscore his government’s push for stability, institutional reform and international recognition.
According to officials in Hargeisa, the president briefed the delegation on what he described as significant progress in securing the country’s internal cohesion.
He highlighted the formal nationalization and regulation of more than 6,000 civilian fighters and their weapons—an effort he noted Somaliland undertook without foreign assistance.
He also pointed to the resolution of the Ceel-Afweyn conflict and recent reconciliation forums in Erigavo, which he framed as evidence of a government-led strategy to reinforce social unity through dialogue rather than force.
The president urged the EU to deepen its support, arguing that Somaliland’s political stability and democratic continuity over the past three decades merit greater engagement.
He pressed Ambassador Di Mauro on the importance of recognizing Somaliland’s territorial, airspace and maritime sovereignty and called for the EU to adopt a “special arrangement” that allocates development funds directly to Somaliland rather than through broader federal frameworks.
Abdullahi said his administration remains committed to strengthening security and social cohesion and emphasized that peace initiatives remain a central pillar of his agenda.
He told the EU delegation that enhanced cooperation—especially on governance, stabilization and development programming—would serve the broader interests of the Horn of Africa.
Ambassador Di Mauro commended the government’s early achievements, saying the EU views Somaliland’s stability, democratic processes and peaceful political environment as valuable assets in a volatile region. She signaled Brussels’ willingness to expand cooperation in security, governance and social development.
Officials said the meeting ended with agreement to accelerate bilateral engagement aimed at supporting peace, development and regional security.
