Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
Somaliland Launches Global Diplomatic Campaign Seeking Formal International Recognition
Horn News Hub |November, 2025*
The self-declared Republic of Somaliland has embarked on a major diplomatic initiative to secure international recognition, with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi “Irro” formally dispatching letters to the leaders of 193 nations, including the State of Israel, urging them to acknowledge Somaliland’s sovereignty and independence.
According to an official statement from the Somaliland presidency, the letters highlight the region’s long-standing record of peace, democracy, and self-governance, despite its continued lack of formal recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1960.
“The outreach reflects Somaliland’s unwavering commitment to peace, democracy, and international partnership,” the statement said, adding that the appeal is both a legal and moral cause that affirms “the right of a free people to shape their own destiny.”
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, has maintained relative stability and democratic governance for more than three decades, even as neighboring Somalia has struggled with political turmoil and insecurity. Hargeisa’s government argues that its long record of internal stability and functioning institutions justifies full international recognition as an independent state.
Despite its de facto independence, no country has yet recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state. The African Union and the United Nations continue to regard it as part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, maintaining that the issue should be resolved through dialogue between Hargeisa and Mogadishu.
Regional analysts view Somaliland’s latest diplomatic push as its most ambitious effort yet to reposition itself on the global stage, particularly amid shifting alliances and renewed attention to the Red Sea and Horn of Africa’s strategic importance.
While it remains uncertain how world capitals will respond, Somaliland’s leadership insists that recognition is not only about legitimacy but also about contributing to global peace, trade, and stability.
