Hargeisa — The government of Somaliland has firmly rejected what it described as “misleading claims” by the Somalian Government regarding its sovereign diplomatic relations, including engagement with Israel, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a press release, Somaliland said assertions made by the Somalia Government were “unfounded in law, inaccurate in history, and lack factual basis,” stressing that its diplomatic engagements are conducted independently as a sovereign state.

The statement reiterated that Somaliland attained independence on June 26, 1960, and was recognized by the international community at the time, arguing that its sovereignty “neither originated from, nor is contingent upon, any authority in Mogadishu.”

“Accordingly, the Somalian Government has no legal standing to interfere in, comment on, or constrain Somaliland’s bilateral relations with any state,” the ministry said, adding that such engagements represent the exercise of sovereign prerogatives.