HARGEISA, Somaliland — (HornPost) The Government of the Republic of Somaliland has rejected what it described as “misleading claims” made by Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during a recent interview with Al Jazeera concerning Somaliland’s sovereignty, relations with Israel, Berbera and Ethiopia’s access to the sea.
In a statement issued by Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on October 3, the government said Somaliland and Somalia are “two separate sovereign states” with different governance realities, arguing that the Somali government has no authority to determine Somaliland’s foreign relations or speak on behalf of its people.
The statement comes after President Mohamud told Al Jazeera that Israel was planning to establish a naval base in Berbera and use the city’s airport. He also said Somalia would not accept an Israeli presence in what Mogadishu considers Somali territory.
Somaliland cites its 1960 independence
Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry said the Republic of Somaliland attained independence on June 26, 1960, before entering a union with Somalia on July 1 of the same year.
The ministry said Somaliland’s sovereignty rests on the continuity of its independent state within its inherited borders, referring to the principle of uti possidetis juris. It also cited the restoration of Somaliland’s sovereignty on May 18, 1991, as a reaffirmation of its statehood.
The government further highlighted Somaliland’s institutions, elections and peaceful transfers of power over more than three decades.
Dispute over Israel and Berbera
On relations with Israel, Somaliland said its diplomatic ties with the country reflect decisions made by its own government and are intended to advance cooperation, development and regional stability.
The ministry rejected claims that Berbera could be used as a platform for aggression against other countries, describing such claims as unfounded.
President Mohamud’s comments to Al Jazeera specifically alleged that Israel was planning a naval base in Berbera and intended to use the city’s airport. Al Jazeera reported that the full interview would be broadcast on its Arabic service on Sunday.
Ethiopia’s access to the sea
The Somaliland government also addressed Ethiopia’s search for access to the sea, saying it has consistently supported negotiated arrangements based on mutually beneficial cooperation.
The statement said Mogadishu’s campaign against the 2024 Ethiopia-Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding contradicts what Somaliland described as Somalia’s stated support for negotiated access to the sea.
In his Al Jazeera interview, President Mohamud said Somalia was prepared to allow Ethiopia to use two or three Somali ports for commercial imports and exports, while noting that Ethiopia had expressed a need for sea access but had not yet submitted a formal request.
Somaliland calls for restraint
The Somaliland government condemned what it described as threats of force and interference in its internal affairs and called on Somalia’s leadership to exercise restraint.
It said Somaliland would continue to safeguard its sovereignty, pursue peaceful diplomacy and strengthen partnerships aimed at promoting stability across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
The statements from Mogadishu and Hargeisa reflect the continuing dispute over Somaliland’s sovereignty, foreign relations and strategic partnerships, particularly amid growing geopolitical competition around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Editors note:
Source note: This article is based on the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement dated October 3, 2026, and cross-checks the reported remarks by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud with Al Jazeera’s coverage.
Prepared by:
HornPost staff
Hargeisa, Somaliland
