HARGEISA, Somaliland (Horn post) The government of the Republic of Somaliland on Sunday responded to a recent joint statement by several foreign ministers, reaffirming its claim to sovereignty and urging a pragmatic, fact-based approach to its international status.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Somaliland said it had “taken note” of the joint communiqué concerning its political and legal position, while emphasizing that its statehood is rooted in historical continuity and international legal principles.
Somaliland asserted that it attained independence on June 26, 1960, before entering what it described as an unratified union with Somalia and later reasserted its sovereignty in 1991. The government said its position is grounded in internationally recognized principles, including self-determination and effective governance.
Over the past three decades, Somaliland has maintained relative stability, held multiple elections and established functioning state institutions, the statement said. It added that its engagement with international partners reflects evolving diplomatic practice and does not infringe on the sovereignty of other states.
“Somaliland has demonstrated a consistent record of peace, democratic governance, and responsible partnership,” the statement said, highlighting its role in contributing to stability across the Horn of Africa.
The government also called for international actors to adopt a “fact-based and pragmatic approach” that reflects legal and political realities, pointing in part to findings by the African Union, which has previously examined Somaliland’s case.
Somaliland argued that recognition should not be treated as a matter of political convenience, warning that continued delay undermines efforts to achieve long-term peace and cooperation in the region.
“Recognition of Somaliland is a grounded legal reality,” the statement said. “Continued denial neither alters the facts nor supports regional stability.”
Somaliland, which operates as a self-governing entity but lacks widespread international recognition, has long sought formal acknowledgment as an independent state, positioning itself as a stable partner in a volatile region.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
