HARGEISA — The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), addressed an event in Hargeisa today, characterizing the visit of Somali government leaders to Las Anod as “provocative” and tantamount to an “invasion.”
The President’s comments followed the arrival of Somalia’s President and Prime Minister in the administrative center of the Sool region earlier today. The federal delegation joined other senior officials already present to attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected leadership of the North Eastern State administration.
During his address, President Irro urged the people of Somaliland to prepare for the defense of their territory, warning that any aggression would be met with severe consequences.
“Somaliland holds no conflicts or animosity toward anyone,” the President stated. “The nation has chosen a path of statehood, stability, and peaceful coexistence. However, it will never compromise on defending its sovereignty and national existence.”
He emphasized that Hargeisa’s response to those advocating conflict would be based not on impulsiveness, but on “political wisdom, unified national defense, and diplomacy rooted in reason.”
The Case for Recognition
Addressing the issue of international recognition, President Irro argued that Somaliland has earned its status through decades of stability and governance.
“Recognition is not something to be given lightly. We have earned it through a prolonged struggle, achieved through responsibility, the democratic system we have established, and good governance,” he declared. He noted that Somaliland plays a vital role in the stability of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, asserting that the world acknowledges it as a responsible partner.
Historical Context and Union Narrative
President Irro also touched upon the historical context of the Somali union, using the failure of the “Greater Somalia” vision to validate Somaliland’s independence.
“We declare with great pride that the Republic of Somaliland is a nation with a profound history. It was the first to attain independence, dedicated to creating a Greater Somalia—a dream that ultimately shattered,” he said.
Pointing to the independence of Djibouti and the integration of Somali regions into Ethiopia and Kenya, Irro asked, “What necessitates that Somalia and Somaliland remain united?”
The President’s speech reframes the presence of Federal Government leaders in Las Anod as a violation of territorial integrity, serving to rally public sentiment in Hargeisa. By invoking the defunct pan-Somali vision, the administration seeks to reinforce the legitimacy of its separation from Mogadishu, positioning Somaliland as a sovereign entity under threat amidst the escalating narrative war between the two governments.
