HARGEISA (KAAB TV) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Irro’ has stated that the separation of Somaliland from Somalia remains “incomplete”, pointing to a number of unresolved administrative and technical matters that have persisted since the 1991 collapse of the Somali Republic.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 7th National Technology Exhibition and Conference held in Hargeisa today, President Irro highlighted several key issues that, according to him, still require finalization nearly 34 years after Somaliland declared the restoration of its independence.
“Although we separated from Somalia in 1991, there are still areas that need to be finalized — such as the old passport, the Hajj quota, telephone network codes, and airspace management,” President Irro said.
The President underscored that these lingering matters continue to pose administrative and logistical challenges for Somaliland citizens, especially in areas of international travel, communication, and aviation control.
President Irro went on to commend the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development for its continued efforts to secure full control over Somaliland’s airspace — a long-standing issue between Hargeisa and Mogadishu.
He expressed optimism that this process is nearing completion, noting that Somaliland’s aviation authorities have made significant progress in recent months.
Irro’s remarks come at a time of growing political tension between Somaliland and Somalia.
Just last month, on September 9, 2025, Somaliland’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development reaffirmed that visa-on-arrival will remain in effect at all Somaliland entry points, rejecting Somalia’s recently introduced electronic visa (e-Visa) system.
The decision marked another point of divergence between the two administrations and underscored Somaliland’s push for operational independence from federal systems imposed by Mogadishu.
Despite these differences, President Irro reiterated that Somaliland’s approach toward Somalia remains peaceful and rooted in mutual respect.
“There is no conflict between us and Somalia. We hold no hostility or resentment. We made our decision freely and independently on 18 May 1991. Just as we voluntarily united before, we also chose to separate as a free nation — and now seek to complete that process with dignity,” he stated.
The President emphasized that Somaliland’s quest for recognition and full sovereignty is not intended to provoke conflict but rather to ensure clarity, stability, and lawful disengagement from Somalia’s political framework.
President Irro also took aim at Somalia’s federal system, describing it as “divided and uncoordinated.” He questioned why new federal member states are being created while existing ones continue to face internal political crises and territorial disputes.
His comments came shortly after Somalia’s federal government announced recognition of a new federal member state in the northeast, a move that Somaliland has strongly condemned, viewing it as an attempt to undermine regional stability and distract from unresolved national issues.
President Irro concluded by reaffirming Somaliland’s commitment to advancing its technological and administrative independence, calling for continued cooperation among citizens, the private sector, and international partners.
“Somaliland’s journey is one of patience, progress, and principle,” he said. “Our goal is to complete what we began — to ensure our sovereignty is recognized, our systems are self-sufficient, and our people benefit from peace and prosperity.”