MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (HornPost) — Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, has rejected remarks attributed to Somalia’s prime minister suggesting that some Somaliland opposition parties oppose the territory’s international recognition campaign, saying the country’s major political parties remain united on the issue.
Khadar made the remarks at a reception hosted by members of the Somaliland diaspora in Minnesota for a delegation from Somaliland led by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro.”
The minister said Somaliland’s political parties may disagree over domestic political issues but share a common position on Somaliland’s political status and its pursuit of international recognition.
“The prime minister of Somalia said that some political parties do not support recognition. I say, do not involve yourselves in our affairs; we are united on this issue,” Khadar said. “I want to tell the people that Somaliland’s political parties are united on the Somaliland cause and its recognition. We do not attack each other over issues that divide us, because this is not one of the issues on which we disagree.”
His comments came as President Irro and his delegation have intensified Somaliland’s diplomatic outreach in the United States. Somaliland’s two parliamentary chambers recently adopted a joint resolution supporting the president’s international recognition campaign and calling for Somaliland’s admission to the United Nations.
Minister urges Somalia to address domestic challenges
Khadar also called on Somalia’s federal government to focus on its internal political challenges rather than intervening in Somaliland affairs.
He urged Mogadishu to resolve political disputes, hold elections and bring the country’s federal member states together.
“Somalia is looking for an opening through which it can enter our affairs,” Khadar said. “We are managing our own affairs. We have formed political parties that debate, hold different views and compete, but they remain connected by a national cause and a shared objective that they protect together. Do not interfere in our affairs. Instead, solve your own problems, hold your elections and bring your administrations together.”
Somalia considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory, while Somaliland has maintained its claim to independence since declaring its withdrawal from the Somali union in 1991.
Somaliland shifts focus of foreign policy
Khadar also outlined the principles he said underpin the Somaliland government’s foreign policy, arguing that Hargeisa has increasingly focused on shared interests rather than relying primarily on historical grievances.
“For a long time, our foreign policy was built around the injustices inflicted upon us,” he said. “But the world does not operate on sympathy; it operates on shared interests and understands interests.”
He said Somaliland was now pursuing policies designed to demonstrate its strategic interests and value to international partners.
“Today, we are playing the music of interests,” Khadar said, linking the approach to what he described as diplomatic gains, including international recognition and improved relations with the United States.
He also pointed to President Irro’s recent foreign trips, saying the government believes the diplomatic engagements have produced positive results.
The comments come amid a broader push by Somaliland to strengthen relations with Washington and build international support for its recognition campaign. During his September visit to the United States, President Irro met U.S. lawmakers and policy figures and promoted Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
The United States, however, has not formally changed its longstanding policy recognizing Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Somaliland, according to a U.S. State Department statement reported this month.
Somaliland’s recognition campaign gained a significant new dimension in December 2025 when Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognize Somaliland, prompting opposition from Somalia and several regional governments.
