Visiting lawmakers praise Somaliland’s democratic progress and pledge to raise its case in the Swedish Parliament.
The Vice President and Acting President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, received a high-level delegation from the Parliament of Sweden at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa on Monday, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
The Swedish delegation—comprising senior members of Sweden’s governing coalition—arrived in Somaliland on an official visit to assess the country’s progress in democratic governance, peacebuilding, and socio-economic development. Discussions also explored potential avenues for bilateral cooperation in investment, infrastructure, and humanitarian initiatives.
In his address, Vice President Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi thanked the delegation for their visit and for showing solidarity with the people of Somaliland. He outlined Somaliland’s historical journey toward self-determination, recalling the 1991 referendum in which Somalilanders peacefully reclaimed their independence following the collapse of the union with Somalia.
Reaffirming Somaliland’s long-held position, the Vice President stated that Somaliland has met all the legal, institutional, and political requirements of statehood. He urged Sweden to take a more active role in supporting Somaliland’s international recognition, describing the country as a beacon of peace, democracy, and stability in the Horn of Africa.
“The people of Somaliland have built a democratic and constitutional state from the ground up. Recognition is not a privilege—it is a matter of justice and stability for the entire region,” he said.
Talks covered a wide range of issues, including investment opportunities in strategic sectors such as the expansion of the Berbera Port, renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and transport infrastructure. Both sides also discussed development cooperation in health, water, and education, as well as shared commitments to upholding human rights and protecting vulnerable communities.
Members of the Swedish delegation praised Somaliland’s consistent record of peace and good governance over the past three decades, noting that it stands as a model for democratic development in the region.
They pledged to advocate within the Swedish Parliament for renewed dialogue on Somaliland’s right to self-determination and to encourage the Swedish government to strengthen engagement with Hargeisa.
In closing, the Vice President expressed gratitude for Sweden’s growing interest and understanding of Somaliland’s national aspirations. He emphasized that formal recognition of Somaliland is not only a historical obligation but a strategic investment in long-term peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
