Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has said that calls for Somali unity are misplaced unless they first include other Somali-inhabited territories in the Horn of Africa, arguing that Somaliland’s status should only be discussed after those regions are unified with Somalia.
Speaking to Sky News Arabia, Irro said that if genuine Somali unity is the goal, then Djibouti, the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, and Kenya’s Northeastern Frontier District should be part of that conversation first.
“If Somali unity is desired, Djibouti should join Somalia, it used to be part of it; the Somali Region of Ethiopia should not join Somalia; the NFD should not join. If the world wants Somali unity, they should unite,” Irro said, questioning why the union between Somalia and Somaliland is treated as unique.
He argued that many governments misunderstand Somali history, noting that Somali territories were divided into five parts during the 1884 Berlin Conference. Somaliland, he said, became the first Somali territory to gain independence in 1960 and was recognized by 35 countries, including Israel.
Irro said Somalilanders quickly rejected the union with Somalia after independence due to abuses and marginalization, making any future reunification impossible. “Another union is never possible,” he said.
Tensions between Somaliland and the Somalia federal government resurfaced late last year following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, a move that angered leaders in Mogadishu.
Somaliland continues to push an international diplomatic campaign seeking formal recognition, insisting its case is rooted in history, sovereignty and the will of its people.
