Hargeisa (KAAB TV) – The President of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), has issued a formal response to recent remarks by former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who called on Somali politicians to support Somaliland’s bid for international recognition and full independence.
President Irro expressed his appreciation for Roble’s acknowledgment of Somaliland’s progress and its legitimate aspiration for statehood. In a statement broadcast on KAAB TV, the president said:
“I commend those Somali politicians who have come to recognize the reality that Somaliland has made significant strides and has every right to pursue its independence. Former Prime Minister Roble stands among the first to publicly acknowledge this truth. In our culture, we say: ‘A stick can be useful, but harmful words are never constructive.’ His support is not only courageous but also a rare example of political honesty.”
Roble, who recently made headlines for criticizing Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, used his platform to highlight the ongoing political crisis and instability within Somalia. Referring to the situation in Somaliland, he said:
“Our Somali brothers once carried the flag of unity with pride, but today they face threats and destruction rather than reconciliation. Somaliland is enduring significant challenges, and though we may not rejoice in their hardship, we must acknowledge it. I have made this clear to the president.”
In response to Roble’s remarks, Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, voiced strong opposition. He expressed surprise and disappointment that a prominent national figure such as Roble would go so far as to support what Mogadishu still regards as a secessionist movement.
“It is astonishing to hear such comments from someone who once led the Somali government. Endorsing the breakup of the nation undermines the unity and sovereignty we are working to preserve,” Minister Fiqi stated.
The exchange comes at a time when relations between Hargeisa and Mogadishu remain deeply strained. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following a brutal civil war, operates with its own government, military, and currency, though it has yet to gain international recognition.
President Irro’s administration continues to push for diplomatic engagement with regional and global powers, seeking recognition of what it views as a decades-long reality of de facto independence.