By Goth Mohamed Goth
Hargeisa, Somaliland – The President of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), has issued a firm rebuttal to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent letter to the United States.
The President asserted that Somaliland is a sovereign nation with full control over its territory and maritime borders, and at the same time emphasizing that its government—not Somalia—holds exclusive authority over its internal affairs. He dismissed Mohamud’s claims as baseless, noting that the Somali leader, who struggles to maintain security in Mogadishu, has no legitimate say over Somaliland’s strategic assets.
“These remarks are not only laughable but also detrimental to regional stability,” Cirro stated, adding that Mohamud’s letter was a deliberate attempt to mislead the international community. “The world knows the truth: Somaliland has been an independent state since May 18, 1991, after reclaiming the sovereignty it first attained on June 26, 1960.”
President Irro underscored that Somaliland’s democratically elected government alone holds the mandate to manage its affairs, including Berbera Port. “Hassan Sheikh does not govern Somaliland—he doesn’t even fully control Mogadishu,” he declared. “Our people and institutions decide our future, not outsiders.”
The President concluded by reiterating that any engagement with Somaliland must be conducted directly with its government. “We are a sovereign nation,” he affirmed. “Those who seek partnership with us must recognize this reality.”
