Two Arab diplomatic sources revealed that the United Arab Emirates suggested to the United States to use Somaliland to confront the Ansar Allah (Houthi) campaign in the Red Sea in lieu of the American aircraft carriers which require huge budgets and a considerable number of personnel.
The sources told Sheba Intelligence that Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the National Security Advisor and the head of the UAE Foreign Intelligence Service, met with Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor and other American officials in early June when bin Zayed visited Washington.
According to the two sources who are familiar with the details of bin Zayed’s visit, the two sides discussed many regional files, including the Houthi operations in the Red Sea, the air and missile defense affairs, and maritime security affairs in the Arabian Gulf region.
The Emirati proposal regarding the possible American use of Somaliland came during a talk about the continued refusal of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to allow the American and Western military bases in the Gulf territories to launch attacks on the Houthis.
The Houthi group in Yemen has been launching attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, showing their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza where Israel has killed over 37000 people since October last year.
The sources added that American officials opened a channel of communication with officials in Somaliland under the supervision of Abu Dhabi. The Emiratis aim to strengthen thier influence in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea and join the United States to defend the Red Sea against the Houthi attacks and Somali piracy.
Such moves would anger the central government in Mogadishu, and other countries in the region, including the Yemeni government, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed also discussed files related to the Emirati conditions for participating in a security force following the war on the Gaza Strip, in addition to discussing continued American concerns about relationship between Group 42 Holding Ltd and Chinese technology.
Australia should recognise Somaliland, a territory that is claimed by Somalia but has asserted its independence since 1991.
No country recognises Somaliland as independent, but if Australia led in doing so it could reinforce its commitment to democratic principles, bolster its influence in the Indo-Pacific region and counter Chinese expansion. It could also secure opportunities for Australian businesses in Somaliland, Ethiopia and beyond.
Failing to recognise Somaliland would encourage developments that could only be negative for Australia. If Somaliland remains a diplomatic and strategic vacuum, Houthis, terrorist organisations, China and other authoritarian regimes will eventually move in.
Between 1827 and 1884, Britain signed treaties with various clans and established Somaliland as a British protectorate. On 26 June 1960, Somaliland gained independence from Britain but four days later started a process of voluntary union with Somalia to form the Somali Republic. However, the act of union was never formally ratified through a legal process and was rejected by Somalilanders in a referendum in 1961.
In 1991, Somaliland reasserted its sovereignty. After an impressive locally funded state-building process, it has operated as a sovereign state for more than 30 years without formal international recognition. Somaliland’s story is one of resilience and stability, contrasting sharply with the turmoil characterising Somalia. Somaliland’s consistent peaceful democratic governance over the past two decades, though imperfect, makes it a role model for the global south. It estimates its population at about 5.9 million.
Like Lithuania, Somaliland hosts a de facto Taiwanese embassy called the ‘Taiwanese Representative Office’, not the usual ‘Taipei Representative Office’. And, like Lithuania, Somaliland has been pressured by China to close the office. Chinese attempts at influencing Somaliland are reminiscent of activity in the Solomon Islands. Australian recognition of Somaliland would help counter this and head off the risk of China strengthening its diplomatic position in the Horn of Africa.
Despite being unrecognised, Somaliland has forged close relations with Britain, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya and Taiwan, maintaining a firm stance against China’s Belt-and-Road initiative. Recently, Somaliland has been more active in seeking recognition. US Congressional staff committees visited Somaliland in 2021 and 2024. Meanwhile, the US National Defense Authorization Act 2023 explores opportunities for increased collaboration with Somaliland in the Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden and Indo-Pacific region. In the British parliament, the issue of Somaliland’s recognition has been raised several times in 2024, most recently with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
In January, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a historic memorandum of understanding that, despite its rejection by Somalia, continues to progress. This agreement involves granting Ethiopia sea access in return for recognising Somaliland’s sovereignty, indicating a strategic alignment that extends beyond mere diplomatic niceties. This situation mirrors a 2016 agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland and involving DP World to develop the port at Berbera, Somaliland. Despite facing significant opposition from Somalia, the project has proceeded. A 2023 World Bank report ranked Berbera as the most effective port in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite the risks involved, global firms like DP World, Trafigura and Taiwan’s CPC Corporation have invested millions of dollars in Somaliland. Recent collaboration with Taiwan has led to significant discoveries, such as a massive lithium deposit. Its exact size and economic viability have not been established, but foreign companies are already investing in the discovery. Australian mining businesses could engage in these promising ventures, as Somaliland has largely untapped reserves of oil and other minerals, such as gemstones, gold, iron ore, tin and lead.
The main argument against a country recognising Somaliland is that doing so can supposedly set a precedent that encourages secessionist movements in Africa. But Somaliland’s story is unique, because it gained independence from Britain initially as a state. Its context aligns with the principle of state continuity, as with the Baltic republics, which regained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. These nations were recognised based on their historical sovereignty and legal continuity, providing a precedent that supports Somaliland’s case.
If Somaliland were a mere secessionist movement, Ethiopia, with great ethnic diversity, wouldn’t countenance its recognition. But it’s not concerned.
Australia has been ahead of the United States, for example, in recognising new states when self-determination and democratic governance have been involved, such as Kosovo and East Timor. It is time to do the same with Somaliland.
Abdi Daud is a Somalilander Australian and a member of the Association of Somaliland Community in Australia. He works as a lead architect at a fintech company in Melbourne and has written for the Somaliland Chronicle, the leading English-language news outlet on Somaliland. This article has been updated with a newer population estimate. Image of Somalilanders at an 18 May 2024 National Day rally: Somaliland government.
The week’s session of the House of Representatives chaired by the First Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Saeed Mire Giire, and the members approved the Bill of Law on pensions and rights of government employees.
With 45 MPs in attendance, 25 MPs agreed to approve it; four MPs rejected it while 15 MPs abstained from voting.
The law on pensions and rights of government employees which the House of Representatives has made amendments by making changes and supplements will now be forwarded to the senate.
On the other hand, the House of Representatives of Somaliland similarly passed the National Armed Forces Act, which the President of Somaliland H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi had earlier referred back to the House owing to changes he had deemed fit to address.
In essence the Bill contained 14 articles he purged 8 for not being in line with the constitution and amended the remaining 6.
The Bill of Somaliland National Army Act No. 105/2023 which was created by the Somaliland House of Representatives was approved by 45 members, ejected by 2 members, and 7 members abstained from voting.
A technical committee has been set up to facilitate the establishment of under-sea fiber optic cables connected to the country.
In a meeting that the Minister of Communication and Technology Hon. Dr. Ahmed Yusuf Idris presided over about bringing the telecommunications cables to the country and connecting them in the country’s networks of telecommunication provider companies, ways and means of having concerted efforts exerted were pondered on.
The meeting was held at the Communications and Technology ministry headquarters with the minister flanked by his Environmental and Climate Change colleague Hon.Shukri Ismael Bandare, hence brought together all the stakeholders in the sector of both in the public and private sectors, top official from the Coastal Guards and also the transport ministry.
Delved upon were issues on how to develop and cooperate with the country’s cable lines, with the ministry working with the communication companies and government departments.
Consensus, which was adopted, resolved to form a technical committee.
The Minister of the Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance who is also the official spokesperson of the Somaliland government Hon. Ali Hassan Mohamed (Ali Marehaan), has pointed out that since the nation signed the crucial MoU with the government of Ethiopia, the Djibouti government has been gradually depicting unwarranted antagonism towards Somaliland.
He observed that not less than a dozen times had the Djibouti state spewed unpalatable words towards Somaliland that the latter had shunned and never retorted to, in respect to brethren-ship, and in avoiding unnecessary tension in the region.
He mentioned the latest poignant actions emanating from Djibouti that has had rebel a movement declare its intention to cause insurgency in Somaliland, claiming to “liberate” Awdal in an innuendo that smirks of dreadful insurgency.
The minister was dismayed that he never expected the Djibouti government to facilitate such insurgency against Somaliland and especially depicting itself as a launching pad.
He said that the latest evidence stemmed from the rhetoric paraded by the so called rebels elaborately at none other than one of the Djibouti’s foremost resort hotels; a location that could only be acquired for publicity stunt, hence cannot be facilitated, without the knowledge of the administration itself.
To make it worse, the minister noted that the so called proclaimed militia rebels were participating in Djibouti’s Independence Day celebrations while seated as amongst guests at the Presidential podium.
He note that he never expected that the Djibouti government would avail a platform to entities declaring insurgency against Somaliland.
He pointed that it beats reason that even after the Djibouti state’s denial of the essence of the rebels canvassing in their country, the coveted national square is availed to them to launch the attacks on Somaliland by the group dabbed ‘Awdal State’ with vitriolic words such as proclaiming “We are a rebel movement out to liberating Awdal from savages and calling upon and beckoning the Awdalians to rise up….” etcetera.
The minister said that evidences of the insurgent rebel launching on Djibouti soil as a pad is vivid and the Somaliland government is privy to them.
He recalled that since the MoU agreement was signed with Ethiopia, the Djiboutian administration has on not less than a dozen times commented in various tones of vexed chagrin on it, whether it was their president, ministers of foreign affairs or that of information, something Somaliland never bothered retorting to since the crux of the matter of the MoU concerned only Somaliland lone.
He said that as far as regional bilateral relations and security was concerned, Somaliland kept her part of the bargain and the cordial relations enjoyed with Djibouti included repatriation treaties.
The minister was however quick to point out that Somaliland had never harboured any animosities towards Djibouti and its people hence said that the people of both nations are harmonious to each other.
He lamented that the Djibouti administration should not have commented superficially hence dismissed the allegations of having rebels against Somaliland launch in its territory as something flimsy and hoped that they would come to terms with reality owing the overwhelming concrete evidences.
The minister said that the recent Global Index on International Ports and Harbours published places the management of Berbera port as the best in Africa south of the Sahara, something he said the country ought to be proud of, cherish and maintain.
He similarly reminded everyone that the nation of Somaliland has been immersed in its tasks of charting its future and aspirations of her people for almost the past three and a half decade without notable tangible international aid hence has pacified its territory without occupation of foreign military.
He said that in pursuit of such efforts it had been able to facilitate the peaceful stability within the country, along its borders with the neighbours and has had commercial businesses flow through unimpeded across the frontiers with all people living in harmony.
The minister concluded that in as far as international obligations of the country was concerned, the Republic of Somaliland new and toed its cue in entering foreign partnerships or agreements thereof, as justified as it may, or should, be.
The Minister of Animal Husbandry and Rural Development of Hon. Saeed Sulub Mohamed, has called upon all Somalilanders of all walks of lfe, the young, the old and sundry to jealously guard the essence of the nationhood cherished and not be hoodwinked and swayed again into the dream of “Greater Somalia” in the name of ‘Somali-ness’.
As concerns the essence of belonging as far as the ‘Somali’ factor was concerned, the minister noted that Somaliland was formidably at the forefront in zealously fighting for it, whether it concerned the independence of Somaliland itself, the battles in then northern frontier district of Kenya, those of the Italian Somaliland of Mogadishu, that of Somali state of Ethiopia or indeed in the struggles for the independence of Djibouti itself.
He said the same zealousness of the greater Somalia propelled Somaliland to join an ill-fated union with the South, a decision that has since been drastic but which have jolted the country back from the “Greater Somalia” stupor hence re-asserted and re-established its sovereignty.
He was quite convictional that Somaliland would not be taken for granted anymore nor shall its limelight not be used by others to bask on in the name of the “Somali” factor to the detriment of the nation.
He said that “Somalia should stop clinging to us as Somaliland was, and is, a completely different entity”.
He pointed out that Somalia did fervently cling to Somaliland with its main reason being to bask in the latter’s limelight.
The minister appealed to Somalilanders, wherever they are, to continue being united and rally in solidarity in defense of the nation.
Talks in Turkey between Somalia and Ethiopia failed to yield any tangible results for Somalia with an additional round scheduled for September. The Turkish-facilitated talks sought to ease tensions between Ethiopia & Somalia following Somalia’s backing down from the preconditions it imposed for future talks.
Despite false reports of a joint declaration what was agreed was in fact a joint statement which will be published shortly. In effect no agreement could be reached and the two parties essentially listened to each other’s perspectives, thus the need for a second round of talks.
Somali people march against the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal at the Yarisow stadium in Mogadishu, Somalia January 3, 2024. REUTERS/Feisal Omar/File Photo
By Giulia Paravicini
July 1 (Reuters) – Turkey has begun mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia over a port deal Addis Ababa signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland earlier this year, according to four officials familiar with the matter.
The negotiations are the latest attempt to mend diplomatic ties between the east African neighbours, whose relationship soured in January when Ethiopia agreed to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline from Somaliland, in exchange for recognition of its independence.
Mogadishu called the agreement illegal and retaliated by expelling the Ethiopian ambassador and threatening to kick out thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in the country helping battle Islamist insurgents.
Spokespeople for the Somali government, Turkey’s foreign ministry, and Ethiopia’s foreign ministry, government and intelligence service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A spokesperson for Somaliland, which has struggled to gain international recognition despite governing itself and enjoying comparative peace and stability since declaring independence in 1991, said it was not involved in the talks.
The goal of the negotiation was unclear, and expectations of a resolution were low, two of the officials said.
“Despite rumours that Somalia has softened its stance on refusing to engage in dialogue until Ethiopia withdraws the (agreement), it seems unlikely,” one of the officials said.
“I don’t see a way forward, and I don’t expect much will come from these talks.”
Turkey has become a close ally of the Somali government since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan first visited Mogadishu in 2011, training its security forces and supplying development assistance.
The two nations signed a defence pact in February under which Ankara will provide maritime security support to Somalia to help the African country defend its territorial waters.
Turkey has built schools, hospitals and infrastructure and provided scholarships for Somalis to study in Turkey, and in return secured a foothold in Africa and on a key global shipping route.
The Minister of Finance of Djibouti, Ilyas Musa Dawaleh, has denied Somaliland President Muse Bihi’s accusation that Djibouti is hosting a rebellion against Somaliland.
On Monday, the Finance Minister posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Djibouti will always remain a beacon of regional dialogue, not a place of regional fragmentation.
“Regretting false and baseless accusations coming from Somaliland officials. Djibouti is a place of togetherness and regional integration. An anchor for regional peace and stability. Not the other way around. Let us make it crystal clear, we will always remain a beacon of regional dialogue, not a place of regional fragmentation. We value the principles of togetherness and always remain out of our neighbors’ internal affairs,” he added.
Mr. Dawaleh urged the Somaliland officials not to involve Djibouti in their internal politics or campaign agenda.
“Remember, yesterday we were accused of supporting Somaliland against the SSC Region,” he said.
The relationship between Somaliland and Djibouti has deteriorated since Somaliland and Ethiopia signed an MoU, allowing Ethiopia sea access and a military base in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland. Djibouti saw the agreement as an economic threat.
Despite Dawaleh’s denial of Somaliland’s accusations, leaders of the Awdal State Movement (ASM) are currently in Djibouti at the behest of the Djiboutian government. On Sunday night, a Luaench was held in their honor. The movement opposes the Somaliland administration and advocates for Somalia’s unity.
•Ethiopia generates more than $5 billion (Sh646.9 billion) in remittances annually.
•Dahabshiil, which operates in more than 100 countries globally, has been a key player in African remittances providing a platform for those in the diaspora.
Dahabshiil country representative in Ethiopia Musse Mohamed and M-Pesa Safaricom acting chief digital financial services officer Anthony Kangethe, during the signing of the partnership in Addis Ababa/HANDOUT
African money transfer company-Dahabshiil and M-Pesa Safaricom-Ethiopia have signed a partnership that will enable the Ethiopian diaspora to send money directly to M-Pesa mobile wallets.
The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa, will simplify sending money to Ethiopia from the diaspora, streamlining the remittance process and translating to faster transfers and increased security.
In signing the deal, Dahabshiil said in a statement:” We are delighted we have partnered with Safaricom’s M-Pesa Ethiopia, giving our diaspora customers another channel to send money there, further enabling them to support their loved ones. We are a leading provider of foreign currency to all major banks in the country.”Ethiopia’s country representative for Dahabshiil, Musse Mohamed said.
He said the partnership allows the company to fulfil its mission of delivering accessible and reliable financial services, by leveraging M-Pesa’s growing customer base.
“Together, we are making it easier and safer for Ethiopians abroad to support their families back home,” Mohamed affirmed.
M-Pesa Safaricom’s acting chief digital financial services officer, Anthony Kangethe, said: “We are delighted to partner with Dahabshiil, a leading player in international money transfers. Together, we share a vision of financial inclusion and driving economic development.”
The new service, he added, will offer Ethiopians a secure and convenient way to send and receive money, empowering individuals and families.
The two companies have committed to promote financial inclusion and economic growth in Ethiopia, noting that the partnership signifies their commitment to innovation and exceptional customer service.
Dahabshiil, which operates in more than 100 countries globally, has been a key player in African remittances providing a platform for those in the diaspora.
M-Pesa on the other hand provides individuals with quick and easy financial services through mobile phones.
According to the World Bank, remittance flows to sub-Saharan Africa reached $54 billion (Sh6.98 trillion) in 2023-an increase from the previous year’s gain.
This increase was driven by strong remittance growth in countries like Mozambique, Rwanda Kenya and Ethiopia.
The receipt of remittances plays a crucial role in reducing poverty as well as contributing to the GDP of a country.
Ethiopia generates more than $5 billion (Sh646.9 billion) in remittances annually.
The signing of the deal between Dahabshiil and M-Pesa enforces the agreements between the Kenyan and Ethiopian leaders, following a state visit by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Kenya in February this year.
The Prime Minister and Kenya’s President William Ruto committed to leverage the cordial relations between the two nations to enhance trade and investment.
