Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” has accused Somalia’s Federal Government of failing to act in good faith during previous rounds of dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, arguing that Somaliland made significant political concessions in an effort to reach agreements that would benefit both sides.
Irro said Somaliland had repeatedly entered negotiations with Somalia in good faith but claimed that agreements reached during those talks were later abandoned by Mogadishu.
“We have held talks with Somalia many times in good faith, and we have paid a very high political price. Unfortunately, Somalia later withdrew from some of the few but important agreements that were reached during those negotiations,” the Somaliland president said.
He said the experience of previous negotiations had exposed serious challenges in implementing agreements once they were reached.
According to Irro, future talks should therefore be based not only on reaching agreements but also on ensuring that both sides respect and implement the commitments they make.
The remarks come amid the long-running political dispute between Somaliland and Somalia’s Federal Government.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated its own government, security forces and other state institutions.
Mogadishu, however, continues to regard Somaliland as part of Somalia and rejects its claim to internationally recognized independence.
The two sides have held several rounds of negotiations over the years, with discussions addressing political relations, security, economic cooperation and the broader question of Somaliland’s status.
Regional countries and international partners have at various times supported or hosted efforts to bring the two sides together, but previous negotiations have failed to produce a comprehensive and lasting settlement.
Irro’s comments suggest that the implementation of past agreements remains a central concern for Somaliland as it considers the possibility of future negotiations with Mogadishu.
His administration appears to be seeking stronger assurances that any commitments reached in future talks will be respected and implemented by both sides.
The dispute has remained one of the most sensitive political issues in the Horn of Africa, with its implications extending beyond the two administrations to regional security, trade and diplomatic relations.
Any renewed dialogue between Hargeisa and Mogadishu is therefore likely to face pressure to address both the political disagreement over Somaliland’s status and the question of how previously negotiated commitments should be honored.
For Somaliland, Irro’s latest statement reinforces the position that future negotiations must be built around trust, mutual recognition of commitments and clear mechanisms for implementation.
For Somalia’s Federal Government, any dialogue remains complicated by its constitutional position that Somaliland is part of the country and that Somalia’s territorial integrity must be preserved.