Somaliland on Tuesday rejected Somali federal government’s condemnation of its relations with Israel, accusing Mogadishu of misleading the international community and denying what it called Somaliland’s political reality.
In a statement, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Federal Government of Somalia had no authority to determine Somaliland’s foreign relations or object to its international engagements.
“The statement from Mogadishu is another attempt to distort history, deny reality, and mislead the international community,” the ministry said.
The statement came after Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over Israeli engagement with Somaliland, saying any contact with the breakaway administration outside the framework of the federal government violated Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
Somaliland said it attained independence on June 26, 1960, and restored its sovereignty on May 18, 1991, after the collapse of its union with Somalia and what it described as massacres and injustices committed against its people.
“Somaliland is not, and has never been, administered from Mogadishu since restoring its sovereignty,” the ministry said.
The statement said President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro’s state visit to Israel demonstrated Somaliland’s growing diplomatic reach and its right to engage with international partners.
Somaliland said no statement from federal government could reverse its diplomatic progress or obstruct the aspirations of its people.
The ministry said Somaliland has governed itself for more than three decades with its own institutions, security forces, laws, elections and international partnerships.
It rejected Somalia’s claim that Somaliland’s international engagements violate international law, saying its diplomacy is based on self-determination, democratic legitimacy, peaceful coexistence and the will of its people.
“Somaliland’s engagement with the State of Israel, and with any other international partner, is a sovereign decision based on national interest, mutual respect, regional security, and economic cooperation,” the statement said.
The ministry said Somaliland would not seek permission from Mogadishu or allow threats, propaganda or diplomatic pressure to dictate its foreign relations.
Somaliland also said it would reject any attempt to undermine its sovereignty, territorial integrity or peace, while reserving the right to defend what it described as its independence and national dignity.
The statement underlined that Somaliland remains committed to peace, stability and responsible diplomacy but would firmly defend its sovereignty, democratic achievements, international partnerships and the will of its people.
Somali federal government rejects Somaliland’s claim to sovereignty and says the region remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and has operated with its own government, security forces and election institutions, but it has not received broad international recognition.
