HARGEISA — President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) of Somaliland has returned to Hargeisa following an official working visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he attended the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
The President’s second consecutive participation in the summit holds significant strategic value for Somaliland, particularly regarding diplomacy, investment, and economic infrastructure development.
Diplomatic Engagement
During the summit, President Irro engaged with officials and leaders from numerous countries and international organizations, concentrating on development matters and future collaborative efforts.
The visit occurs against the backdrop of Somaliland’s persistent pursuit of international recognition, a campaign that gained substantial momentum after Israel recently announced its official acknowledgment of the republic in December 2025.
The Airspace Contestation
The successful conclusion of the trip has reignited the debate over jurisdictional control between Hargeisa and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).
Mogadishu has consistently asserted that Somaliland remains an inseparable part of Somalia and maintains that it holds authority over the airspace throughout the entire territory. Previous administrations in Mogadishu have claimed the power to permit or restrict international travel for Somaliland officials.
However, analysts in Hargeisa argue that the President’s unimpeded journey to the UAE and return demonstrate that the FGS lacks the physical capacity to enforce these claims.
Somaliland officials contend that their independent management of airports, air navigation systems, and immigration controls serves as tangible evidence of effective sovereignty.
