The incident occurred on 1 June 2026.

The South African police arrested the suspect, who remains in custody, and seized eight firearms and 557 rounds of ammunition during the operation.

According to South African police, the suspect is believed to have been involved in illegal arms trafficking, allegedly supplying weapons to criminal groups involved in drug trafficking and armed robberies.

Mustafe Shirwa, chairman of the Somali diaspora community in South Africa, said community representatives visited the scene after the incident and met with police officers.

“We arrived at the scene and met the police and members of the community. We told the police that despite having Somali documents, the man is an Ethiopian national,” Shirwa said.

South African police are investigating an Ethiopian national who allegedly attacked and injured a police officer in the city of Spring, Gauteng province and was later found to be carrying a Somali passport reportedly issued by the Somali Embassy in South Africa.

The incident… pic.twitter.com/FttfeEw80E

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) July 22, 2026

Shirwa said the suspect was carrying an authentic Somali passport, which he believes may have been obtained fraudulently.

He added that the Somali community has been in contact with the Somali Embassy in Pretoria regarding the incident.

The Somali Embassy in Pretoria did not respond to Kaab TV’s request for comment.

South African authorities have not publicly explained how the suspect obtained the Somali passport, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding its issuance are continuing.

The incident comes amid heightened anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa following the expiry of a 30 June deadline set by some groups calling for undocumented migrants to leave the country.

The case has drawn additional public attention as authorities continue efforts to combat organized crime and illegal firearms trafficking.

The incident has also renewed concerns over the integrity of Somali travel documents and allegations that Somali passports have, in some cases, been fraudulently obtained by foreign nationals.

Somali authorities have previously said they are working to strengthen passport issuance and verification systems, while allegations of document fraud have surfaced in several cases over the years.

The post South African Police Probe Officer Shooting as Suspect Found With Somali Passport appeared first on Kaab TV.

Speaking at the opening of a three-day Puntland Women’s Conference in Garowe on Saturday, which focuses on women’s political leadership and inclusion in governance, President Deni acknowledged that although women have increasingly joined various sectors of the Puntland government, they continue to face significant challenges in accessing decision-making positions.

“We need to change our leadership culture. We are still in a recovery phase, and our traditional system is based on clans, where clan rivalry is common and women are often excluded from playing a meaningful role,” Deni said.

“I therefore call on women to strengthen their participation in the business sector, increase productivity, and intensify their advocacy efforts.”

Women’s political representation in Puntland remains extremely limited. The current Puntland Parliament has only one female member among its 66 lawmakers.

During the 2023 parliamentary selection process, clan elders—who nominate members of parliament under the traditional power-sharing system—were widely accused of blocking many qualified female candidates.

Deni urged women to broaden their political ambitions by contesting leadership positions at the local level and within state institutions.

“I encourage women to focus on key leadership positions such as mayoral offices and senior roles within the police service,” he said.

The president stressed that the clan system continues to favour male representation, making it difficult for women to compete politically.

“That challenge remains because many clans believe only men can represent them,” he said. “This is not an issue women can solve alone. Society as a whole must change. What we want to see is women leading local governments, heading police institutions, and taking greater responsibility in public leadership.”

Deni also called on women to strengthen solidarity among themselves and rethink their political strategies.

He argued that previous campaigns had focused primarily on women’s rights without sufficiently addressing broader public concerns, making it harder to attract wider electoral support.

He encouraged female politicians to adopt more inclusive campaigns that address issues affecting all communities rather than limiting their message to women’s issues alone.

The Puntland leader also highlighted the importance of media and advocacy, saying many women currently enter the media sector through entertainment, while stronger engagement in journalism, public debate, and advocacy is needed to place women’s rights and political participation at the centre of public discourse.

“Women need to become judges who can help resolve local conflicts. I am confident that if women stand united, no one will be able to break their collective strength,” Deni said, drawing loud applause from conference participants.

The conference brings together women leaders, civil society representatives, government officials, and activists to discuss strategies for increasing women’s participation in politics, governance, and public institutions across Puntland.

The post Puntland President Deni Says Clan System Still Biggest Obstacle to Women’s Political Ambition appeared first on Kaab TV.

Saleban had served as Chairman of the Guurti since 18 August 2004, when his predecessor, Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Yusuf Sheikh Madar, passed away.

His tenure lasted nearly 22 years, making him one of the longest-serving parliamentary leaders in Somaliland’s history.

Speaking during the resignation announcement, Saleban said he had been a member of the Guurti for nearly 34 years.

“I ask you to accept my resignation and allow me to leave my position,” he told fellow members.

Known widely as “Saleban Gaal,” the veteran politician is currently 92 years old and is considered one of Somaliland’s oldest political figures.

Many Somalilanders viewed his decision as appropriate, arguing that leading the Guurti is a demanding responsibility that requires a person capable of dedicating long hours to the institution.

Saleban said age and health-related challenges had made it difficult for him to continue carrying out the heavy responsibilities attached to leading Somaliland’s upper house of parliament.

Election of a New Guurti Chairman

On the same day as Saleban’s resignation, three candidates initially submitted their bids for the chairmanship.

After the Guurti formally approved the former chairman’s resignation, the candidates for the position of Chairman of the Somaliland House of Elders were announced as:

1. MP Muuse Haji Abdi Duale
2. MP Sahal Iidle Dirir
3. Sultan Ismaail Sultan Abdirahmaan, who later withdrew from the race

The election was held on Sunday, 12 July 2026.

A total of 73 members voted by show of hands in favour of MP Muuse Haji Abdi Duale becoming the new Chairman of the Somaliland Guurti.

Saleban Mohamud Adan did not participate in the vote, as he had resigned both from the chairmanship and his membership of the chamber. Eight members voted for the second candidate, Sahal Iidle Dirir.

The Somaliland Guurti consists of 82 members.

What Is the Role of the Guurti?

The Somaliland Guurti is one of the country’s most important institutions in the structure of governance. It serves as the upper house of parliament and represents traditional elders and different clans across Somaliland.

Unlike a conventional parliamentary chamber, the Guurti also functions as a traditional council of elders with a significant role in peacebuilding, conflict resolution between clans and maintaining social stability.

Since its establishment in 1993, it has played a central role in Somaliland’s political development.

The institution is widely seen as a bridge between Somaliland’s traditional leadership structures and modern state institutions. Over the years, the Guurti has frequently intervened in political and social disputes, helping mediate disagreements between clans, political actors and communities.

However, Sunday’s leadership change, particularly the end of Saleban Mohamud Adan’s nearly 22-year tenure as chairman, has reopened discussions about reform and modernisation of the institution.

While the Guurti has earned recognition for its role in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace, its long period without full democratic renewal or direct elections has raised questions about representation, accountability and whether it aligns with Somaliland’s democratic aspirations.

Challenges Facing the New Guurti Leadership

The new Guurti leadership faces the challenge of preserving the institution’s traditional role while adapting it to the needs of a modern state.

The chamber has frequently faced criticism over its involvement in extending the terms of government institutions, which critics argue contributed to delays in holding elections, including local council elections.

The new leadership will face pressure to address these concerns and demonstrate stronger commitment to democratic principles, constitutional governance and timely elections.

The transition could provide an opportunity to rebuild public confidence, strengthen legislative oversight and preserve the role of traditional elders while ensuring the institution reflects Somaliland’s evolving political system.

The Guurti leadership transition comes at a significant moment for Somaliland, following its recognition by Israel, which Somaliland described as a historic diplomatic achievement.

The move has created new opportunities for international engagement and economic cooperation, while also generating debate and concern in the region and beyond.

The recognition brings new diplomatic possibilities but also increases expectations that Somaliland’s institutions demonstrate stability, transparency, effective governance and respect for constitutional principles, including holding elections within their legally defined timelines.

The future of the Somaliland Guurti will therefore depend on how it balances two competing demands: preserving its historic role in maintaining peace and social stability, while transforming into a modern institution capable of supporting a democratic state seeking greater international recognition and integration.

The post Somaliland’s Guurti Leadership Change: End of a 22-Year Era and the Road Ahead appeared first on Kaab TV.

Fihiima, who is currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, announced on Facebook that she had “abandoned the idea of Soomaaliweyn [Greater Somalia]” and had returned to what she described as her “nation of Somaliland.”

“I, Fihiima Yusuf Abdullahi Quuje, hereby declare that I have left my position and membership in the North Eastern Somalia Parliament, where I represented my community,” she said in a statement.

“I also declare that I have abandoned the ideology of Soomaaliweyn and have returned to my nation of Somaliland. I will provide further details later,” she added.

Fihiima, a young female politician who was previously a vocal critic of Somaliland, said she had changed her political position.

She had earlier lived in Hargeisa and was involved in the Dhulbahante community’s resistance against Somaliland forces during the 2023 Las Anod conflict.

The city later came under the control of SSC-Khaatumo forces, which subsequently adopted the name North Eastern Somalia and was recognised by the Federal Government of Somalia as a federal member administration.

However, the political status of the region remains disputed, with both Somaliland and Puntland continuing to claim parts of Sool and Sanaag, while NES also considers the areas part of its territory.

Growing Rift with NES Leadership

Fihiima was appointed to the North Eastern Somalia parliament following the formation of the administration’s legislative council in August 2025, which was established through a clan-based representation system covering Sool and Sanaag.

In recent months, she had become increasingly critical of NES President Abdulkadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye, accusing his administration of aligning too closely with the government of former Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Fihiima repeatedly criticised Firdhiye’s leadership through posts on her Facebook page, while Puntland and Somaliland have accused the Federal Government of Somalia of using the Las Anod administration to increase pressure against them.

Her resignation comes amid growing frustration among NES officials over their relationship with Mogadishu.

Officials from the administration have complained that their region has been excluded from Somalia’s national budget allocations despite being recognised by the federal government as a federal member state.

They have also raised concerns that members of their security forces — many of whom are Dhulbahante fighters who took part in the 2023 conflict with Somaliland — have not received regular salaries from the federal government.

The lack of financial support and delayed payments have reportedly fuelled dissatisfaction among officials and communities in the region, with some questioning the benefits of remaining politically aligned with Mogadishu.

Possible Wider Political Realignment

Analysts say Fihiima Quuje’s resignation and decision to return to Somaliland could signal a broader political shift among some Dhulbahante politicians who previously supported SSC-Khaatumo and the North Eastern Somalia administration.

They suggest that growing frustration with Mogadishu could push other Dhulbahante political figures to reconsider their positions and seek renewed engagement with Somaliland.

A source close to Fihiima told Kaab TV that she is expected to travel to Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, in the coming days, where Somaliland officials are expected to welcome her.

Her move comes as the future political direction of North Eastern Somalia remains contested, with Somaliland, Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia competing for influence over the strategically important Sool and Sanaag regions.

The post NES MP Fihiima Quuje’s Resignation Signals New Political Realignment in Las Anod Dispute appeared first on Kaab TV.

The decision means nationals from the majority of African countries will no longer have access to Turkey’s simplified online visa application system and will instead be required to apply through Turkish embassies or consulates.

According to Turkey’s official eVisa portal, citizens of the following nine African countries are eligible to apply for a Turkish eVisa:

1. Algeria
2. Cape Verde
3. Egypt
4. Equatorial Guinea
5. Libya
6. Mauritius
7. Namibia
8. Senegal
9. South Africa

Somalia and other African countries not included on the list are not eligible for the online visa service and must follow traditional visa application procedures through Turkish diplomatic missions.

The Turkish eVisa system allows eligible travellers to complete the visa application process online without visiting an embassy or consulate.

The decision comes almost six months after Somalia Embassy in Ankara celebrated the 60th years anniversary of Somalia-Turkey diplomatic relations.

However, eligibility does not automatically guarantee approval, as applicants must meet specific requirements depending on their nationality, travel purpose, and travel documents.

The eVisa is primarily designed for tourism and short-term visits, offering a faster and more convenient alternative to conventional visa applications for eligible travellers.

For nationals of countries excluded from the programme, applying for a Turkish visa generally involves submitting documents directly through a Turkish embassy or authorised visa centre, a process that can require additional time and paperwork.

Turkey has expanded its diplomatic and economic ties across Africa in recent years, but visa access remains a major issue for many African travellers seeking to visit the country for tourism, business, education, or transit purposes.

Growing Visa Restrictions Raise Concerns for Somali Travellers

Turkey’s decision to exclude Somalia from its electronic visa (eVisa) programme has added to growing concerns over the increasing difficulties faced by Somali passport holders seeking international travel.

Turkey has not publicly provided a specific explanation for why Somalia is not included among the African countries eligible for eVisa access.

However, visa policies are generally determined based on factors including migration patterns, security assessments, document reliability, diplomatic arrangements, and levels of cooperation on border control and the return of irregular migrants.

According to Turkey’s official eVisa system, Somali citizens are not eligible for an online Turkish eVisa and must instead apply through Turkish diplomatic missions using the traditional visa process.

Unlike citizens of countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Mauritius and Namibia, Somali travellers cannot complete the visa process entirely online, making applications more dependent on embassy procedures, supporting documents, and additional screening.

The exclusion comes amid wider international restrictions affecting Somali passport holders.

In June 2026, the European Union introduced temporary restrictions on visa procedures for Somali nationals, citing what it described as insufficient cooperation by Somalia in accepting the return of its citizens who are staying irregularly in EU countries.

Under the new measures, EU member states can no longer issue multiple-entry visas to Somali nationals, waive certain documentary requirements, or exempt holders of diplomatic and service passports from visa fees. The standard processing period for Somali visa applications has also been extended from 15 days to 45 days.

The EU said the measures are intended to encourage greater cooperation on readmission and will remain in place temporarily while progress is assessed.

Somalia’s passport remains among the most restricted travel documents globally, largely due to decades of conflict, weak institutional capacity, security concerns, and high levels of irregular migration from the country.

For many Somali citizens, these restrictions create additional barriers for business, education, tourism, family reunification, and international mobility.

The latest Turkish and EU visa developments highlight the continuing challenges faced by Somali travellers as global mobility becomes increasingly linked to migration control, security cooperation, and diplomatic relations.

The post Turkey Restricts eVisa Eligibility to Nine African Countries, Excluding Somalia appeared first on Kaab TV.

Lt. Col. Kadleeye was shot dead in Jarriiban earlier this week and was buried in the district on Thursday.

Local sources said the convicted gunman was believed to have links to pirate groups operating along the Puntland coastline.

According to Puntland authorities, police arrested Kooshin during a security operation shortly after the killing. On Thursday, a court sentenced him to death under the Islamic principle of qisas (retaliatory justice), following a request by the victim’s family.

The execution was carried out by a police firing squad on Friday morning in a public area.

Puntland officials and members of the public witnessed the execution, while the victim’s family exercised their legal right to authorize the sentence.

On Thursday afternoon, the families of both the victim and the convicted man exchanged the bodies of their deceased relatives, ahead of Friday’s execution.

Speaking to reporters after the execution, the mother of Lt. Col. Kadleeye said she had accepted her son’s death as the will of God and expressed satisfaction that the man responsible had been executed.

A large funeral for Lt. Col. Kadleeye was held in Jarriiban on Thursday, attended by Puntland government officials, security officers, and local residents.

The two men were reportedly close relatives, and less than 48 hours elapsed between the police commander’s killing and the execution of his convicted killer.

Lt. Col. Kadleeye had previously been trained by Turkish military instructors supporting Somalia’s Federal Government security forces. He later left the federal forces and joined the Puntland security services.

At the time of his death, he was serving as the police commander of Jarriiban, where security forces have recently intensified operations against pirate networks that have re-emerged along Puntland’s coast.

The pirate groups have been responsible for hijacking commercial vessels since last year, raising growing security concerns for the Puntland administration and international shipping in the region.

The post Puntland Executes Man Linked to Pirates Convicted of Killing Jarriiban Police Commander appeared first on Kaab TV.

The UK ambassador arrived in Somaliland for an official visit aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two sides.

He was accompanied by Louise Hancock, the UK Government Representative at the British Office in Somaliland.

According to Somaliland presidential spokesperson Hussein Aadan Cige (Deyr), President Irro thanked the United Kingdom for its historic relationship, longstanding engagement, and support for Somaliland, particularly in development, security sector strengthening, infrastructure, and democratic governance.

Irro said the strategic partnership between Somaliland and the UK was built on “historical trust, mutual respect, sustainable cooperation, and shared interests.”

“The President of Somaliland once again emphasized that the process of seeking international recognition for the Republic of Somaliland is irreversible, saying it is based on legal rights, historical background, and the will of the people of Somaliland,” Deyr said.

He said Irro called on the United Kingdom to play a meaningful role in supporting Somaliland’s recognition efforts.

The president briefed the ambassador on Somaliland’s development priorities and highlighted potential areas for expanded cooperation, including water management and climate adaptation, energy, security, education, healthcare, trade, investment, democracy, and strengthening government institutions.

Irro reaffirmed his government’s commitment to deepening ties with London, describing the UK as a long-standing strategic partner that has supported Somaliland’s development, security, and institution-building efforts.

He also urged the United Kingdom to play a meaningful role in supporting Somaliland’s recognition campaign, arguing that the bid is based on “legal grounds, historical background, and the will of the people of Somaliland.”

For his part, Ambassador Charles King said the UK government values its historic relationship and cooperation with Somaliland.

The ambassador praised Somaliland’s security, stability, democratic processes, institution-building, and development achievements, describing it as a positive example in the region for peace and political stability, according to Somaliland presidential spokesperson Hussein Aadan Cige (Deyr).

The UK ambassador confirmed that Britain would continue strengthening cooperation and support for Somaliland.

The meeting comes as Somaliland seeks greater international recognition while Somalia continues to face political disputes, electoral tensions, and security challenges.

Hargeisa’s ongoing push for international recognition

Somaliland’s efforts to secure international recognition continue as Hargeisa seeks to expand diplomatic engagement with foreign governments, following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in late December 2025 and amid renewed calls from Somaliland leaders for wider international support.

The Somaliland government has described recognition as a long-term strategic priority, arguing that it is based on its historical status, separate governance structures, democratic institutions, and the aspirations of its people.

President Irro has repeatedly said that Somaliland’s recognition campaign is irreversible, urging international partners, including the United Kingdom, to play a greater role in supporting its bid for recognition.

The UK remains one of Somaliland’s most important historical partners, with longstanding ties dating back to the colonial period and continued cooperation in areas including development, security, and governance.

Somaliland’s diplomatic push comes at a time of heightened political challenges in Somalia, where disputes over constitutional changes, elections, and relations between the federal government and member states have deepened tensions.

Hargeisa argues that its relative stability, democratic elections, and functioning institutions distinguish it from the wider instability affecting parts of Somalia, while Mogadishu continues to oppose any move toward Somaliland’s international recognition, maintaining that Somaliland remains part of Somalia.

The post Somaliland Leader Tells UK Diplomat Recognition Bid is “Irreversible” appeared first on Kaab TV.

Multiple senior opposition aides told Kaab TV that at least five suspected spies — two women and three men — were identified and barred from attending opposition activities after what they described as months of internal counter-intelligence efforts.

Kaab TV could not independently verify the allegations, and NISA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to a senior aide to former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the suspected infiltration began early this year, when Mogadishu police arrested dozens of youth activists, forcing many others into hiding. During the same period, journalists covering opposition activities were also detained by NISA and the police.

Political tensions escalated further in mid-May after the opposition declared President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s mandate had expired.

Under the umbrella of the Somali Future Council, opposition leaders announced a series of street protests aimed at preventing what they described as an attempted extension of the president’s term.

The demonstrations, which began on 10 May, turned violent on 3–4 June after government forces moved against protests led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.

The two opposition leaders later relocated to residential areas in Abdiaziz and Hawlwadaag districts, where clashes erupted between forces aligned with the opposition and those supporting President Mohamud.

Following the unrest, opposition figures say NISA and Mogadishu police intensified a crackdown targeting activists, journalists, tuk-tuk drivers and others suspected of supporting the opposition. Among those detained was prominent women’s rights activist Sadia Moalin Ali, who was later sentenced to three years in prison.

A senior security official working with Khaire told Kaab TV that opposition members identified one woman and three male suspects who regularly attended events and had gained access to the residence where the former prime minister held meetings with youth supporters.

a woman posing as a media influencer caught

“One of them was always among the loudest supporters of the opposition during public events, but he was collecting information about meetings, participants and planned locations,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The official said one suspected operative even publicly challenged NISA to arrest him during an opposition gathering at Jazeera Palace while presenting himself as a committed supporter.

Kaab TV reviewed video that appears to show the individual making the remarks.

According to aides to Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, one of the most significant incidents occurred in mid-June when a woman posing as a media influencer was discovered inside the residence and offices used by the Himilo Qaran party. They said she had regularly attended meetings involving Sharif, party officials and youth activists.

“Before she was identified, we realized that information about people attending our meetings was being leaked, and some of them were arrested overnight from their homes,” one aide said.

The aide said the party subsequently launched an internal effort to identify the source of the leaks and concluded that the woman was working for NISA.

“The president himself confronted her and told her to leave and never return to his residence or face arrest. She left embarrassingly,” the aide said.

That was when the former Somalia transitional  president Sharif broke his silence.

He held a press conference and said that Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) had deployed spies to his residence to monitor him and his staff. He specifically named an officer, Hassan Dahir, whom he accused of conducting surveillance on his communications.

“We obtained information that NISA had sent people to spy on us. There is a man who is frequently seen near my residence these days, called Hassan Dahir, with a vehicle to conduct surveillance on us,” he said.

Abdi Ali, a Mogadishu tuk-tuk driver previously arrested by NISA and the police, told Kaab TV that he believes his personal information was passed to security agencies by individuals he had trusted as fellow youth activists.

Now in hiding, he said he cannot safely visit his family despite them living in Mogadishu.

“The infiltration is extensive,” he said. “Innocent activists and journalists are at risk because of this kind of spying.”

Journalist Abdihafid Nur Barre, who says he has been arrested twice over the past six months and remains in hiding, also warned that distrust has spread throughout opposition circles.

“I don’t trust anyone,” he said, adding that reports indicate he remains wanted by NISA.

The allegations come amid a prolonged political crisis and heightened security tensions in Somalia, with opposition leaders accusing the government of using intelligence and law enforcement agencies to suppress dissent.

Government officials have never acknowledged using infiltration against the Somali Future Council.

The post How Somalia’s NISA Planted Spies Inside Opposition Circles appeared first on Kaab TV.

Instead, he argued that any Somaliland embassy should be located in Tel Aviv rather than Jerusalem.

Although the remarks sparked intense political reactions across Somaliland, few observers interpreted them as opposition to Israeli recognition itself. Rather, they highlighted the increasingly complex intersection between Somaliland’s decades-long quest for international recognition, domestic political competition, and the sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a predominantly Muslim society.

Mohamud Hashi, a senior politician from the Habar Jeclo branch of the Isaaq clan and a former senior official of the Kulmiye party, currently leads Kaah, Somaliland’s second-largest political party.  During the November 2024 presidential election, Kaah endorsed President Abdirahman Abdullahi Irro (Habar Yoonis clan) of the Waddani party in a political alliance that extended beyond electoral cooperation.

The agreement reportedly included power-sharing arrangements and extensive political bargaining that resulted in three of Hashi’s close allies being appointed to cabinet positions after President Irro assumed office.

Despite the alliance, political insiders say tensions have gradually emerged between Kaah and Irro’s presidency. Hashi’s latest comments therefore did not come as a surprise to many within Somaliland’s political establishment.

The timing, however, has attracted particular attention.

Kaah has recently experienced internal divisions after several prominent politicians from the Arab clan left the party to join the ruling Waddani party.

According to party insiders, these defections have weakened Kaah’s internal cohesion and increased concerns that the party is being politically marginalized despite maintaining strong support among sections of the Sacad Muse community.

Against that backdrop, Hashi’s intervention on the Jerusalem issue appears to many observers to be as much about domestic political positioning as foreign policy.

Somaliland’s Long Search for Recognition

The ruling party responded swiftly.

Waddani chairman Hirsi Haji Ali rejected any attempt to “separate Israeli recognition from Somaliland’s diplomatic arrangements.”

“Recognition of Somaliland remains one issue. There are not two separate issues. Either you accept it or you oppose it,” Hirsi told reporters during a press conference in Hargeisa on Thursday.

His remarks reflected the government’s broader argument that recognition by any sovereign state necessarily includes the right to establish diplomatic relations according to mutually agreed terms, including the location of embassies.

For the Irro administration, the recognition achieved by Israel represents one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs in Somaliland’s modern history, making any public debate that could be interpreted as undermining it politically sensitive.

Since declaring the restoration of its independence from Somalia in May 1991, Somaliland has functioned as a de facto state with its own government, constitution, currency, security forces and democratic institutions.

The declaration followed the collapse of Somalia’s central government and years of conflict between the military regime of Mohamed Siad Barre and the former British Somaliland territory.

While southern Somalia descended into prolonged civil war, Somaliland gradually built functioning institutions and has held multiple competitive elections since 2001, earning a reputation for relative political stability in the Horn of Africa.

Despite these achievements, no United Nations member state formally recognized Somaliland for more than three decades.

Dialogue between Hargeisa and Mogadishu, facilitated by Türkiye beginning in 2011 and later supported by other international partners, failed to produce a political settlement. Somalia consistently insisted on preserving its territorial integrity, while Somaliland maintained that the union formed in 1960 had collapsed irreversibly.

Recognition Changes the Strategic Landscape

The geopolitical environment shifted significantly after former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi signed a memorandum of understanding with Ethiopia in January 2024.

The agreement proposed granting landlocked Ethiopia access to the Red Sea and a military facility along Somaliland’s coast in exchange for Ethiopia moving toward recognition.

The deal triggered strong opposition from Somalia, which declared it a violation of its sovereignty. Although implementation stalled amid regional diplomatic pressure, Somaliland officials continued to insist the agreement remained available should Ethiopia decide to proceed.

An even more dramatic shift occurred on 26 December 2025 when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.

The decision marked the first recognition of Somaliland by a UN member state and fundamentally altered regional diplomacy.

Recognition was followed by an unprecedented series of high-level exchanges, including an official visit by Israel’s foreign minister to Hargeisa in early January 2026 and President Abdirahman Irro’s official visit to Israel in June 2026.

The Somali federal government immediately rejected Israel’s recognition and reaffirmed its position that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia.

Most Arab League countries similarly backed Somalia’s territorial integrity and criticized Israel’s move.

At the same time, Türkiye and Egypt continued expanding security cooperation with Mogadishu through military training, defence assistance and support for Somalia’s security institutions, reinforcing their longstanding support for Somalia’s internationally recognized borders.

For Mogadishu, preventing wider international recognition of Somaliland has become an important diplomatic priority.

Hashi’s criticism focused specifically on Jerusalem rather than recognition itself.

Like many Muslims worldwide, he argued that Jerusalem should not be recognized exclusively as Israel’s capital and instead should remain central to any future settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.

His position illustrates the difficult balance Somaliland’s leaders must navigate.

Somaliland is overwhelmingly Muslim, and public sympathy for the Palestinian cause remains widespread. At the same time, the territory’s pursuit of international recognition has increasingly encouraged policymakers to prioritize pragmatic diplomacy over traditional ideological alignments.

The Jerusalem debate therefore reflects a broader question facing Somaliland: how should an aspiring state balance religious identity with strategic national interests?

For supporters of the government’s policy, securing recognition after more than three decades outweighs disputes over embassy location. For critics, accepting Jerusalem as Israel’s capital risks creating unnecessary religious and diplomatic controversy.

Public Opinion Appears Overwhelmingly in Favour of Recognition

Despite the political debate, there is little evidence that Hashi’s remarks represent wider public opinion regarding recognition itself.

Across Somaliland, support for international recognition remains one of the rare issues that transcends party politics, clan affiliations and ideological divisions.

Many Somalilanders view recognition not simply as a foreign policy achievement but as the culmination of more than three decades of state-building and democratic development.

Conversations with residents, political observers and civil society figures in Hargeisa suggest that most Somalilanders continue to support diplomatic relations with Israel if they strengthen Somaliland’s international standing, even while some express reservations about the symbolic decision to establish an embassy in Jerusalem rather than Tel Aviv.

In that sense, the dispute appears less about whether Somaliland should maintain relations with Israel and more about how those relations should be presented to a Muslim public.

Some analysts believe Hashi’s intervention reflects growing frustration within Kaah as the party feels increasingly sidelined by President Irro’s administration despite playing a decisive role in his electoral victory.

If that interpretation is correct, raising the Jerusalem issue may serve as a means of differentiating Kaah from Waddani ahead of future elections.

Yet the strategy carries considerable political risks.

Recognition has become one of the strongest unifying themes in Somaliland’s national identity. Any political message that is perceived—fairly or unfairly—as weakening or complicating Somaliland’s recognition campaign could alienate voters across party and clan lines.

For many Somalilanders, the source of recognition matters less than the fact that it advances Somaliland’s longstanding aspiration to secure a place among the world’s sovereign states.

Whether Mohamud Hashi intended to challenge only the embassy’s location or inadvertently reopened a broader debate about recognition, his comments have underscored a central reality of Somaliland politics: even after recognition by Israel, the territory’s diplomatic journey continues to be shaped as much by domestic political calculations and religious sensitivities as by international diplomacy.

The post Somaliland’s Jerusalem Embassy Debate Exposes the Intersection of Recognition, Religion and Domestic Politics appeared first on Kaab TV.

Family members told Kaab TV that the minister entered the prison cell this week and met privately with Sadia, who is serving a three-year prison sentence following her conviction in June.

According to a family member briefed on the meeting, the minister urged Sadia to “admit guilt” and “seek forgiveness,” allegedly telling her that doing so could lead to her release.

A prison source, who spoke to Kaab TV on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, also claimed the government has been attempting to persuade Sadia to reach “a deal”.

“The proposal is for Sadia to confess to offences such as being anti-government and to express regret over her criticism of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,” the source said. “After that, the government would consider granting her a pardon.”

Sadia’s family rejected the reported proposal, describing it as part of an ongoing campaign of intimidation intended to further implicate her.

Sadia Moalin Ali was arrested on 12 April and, on 25 June, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after being prosecuted over public comments criticizing alleged corruption, rising fuel prices, and the increasing cost of living in Mogadishu. Supporters and rights advocates have argued that the case is politically motivated and linked to her exercise of freedom of expression.

While in prison Sadia faced beatings, stripped naked as she was denied access to food, health and family.

In a letter she sent from her prison cell last week published by Kaab TV, she stated “I suffer from asthma, which has caused me significant hardship. As I have repeatedly stated, I have not received the medical care that my condition requires. I therefore request immediate access to an independent doctor to assess my health and ensure that I receive the medication, treatment, and living conditions necessary for my well-being.

In her letter Sadia also stated she is “demanding justice” and that she will not seek pardon.

The Justice Ministry has not publicly responded to the family’s allegations regarding the reported prison visit or claims that Sadia was pressured to confess.

Previous remarks by the Justice Minister

Minister Hassan Sheikh Ali has previously attracted criticism over comments he made about Sadia’s case.

On 9 April, days before Sadia’s re-arrest, he addressed a meeting with local journalists in Mogadishu after returning from London, where he said he had been visiting his family.

During the meeting, according to journalists who attended the meeting, the minister criticized media outlets for interviewing Sadia and warned journalists against providing her with a platform.

“I was in London with my family and had to cut short my stay because this woman, Sadia, was giving the government a bad image. Why would any journalist interview her? What does she know? She is nothing. We shall arrest her, and any journalist who interviews her will be dealt with,” the minister allegedly told the gathering.

The comments were made shortly before Sadia was arrested.

She had previously been detained in March after taking part in a peaceful demonstration alongside tuk-tuk drivers in Mogadishu protesting taxes and demanding reductions in fuel prices.

Mogadishu mayor’s comments

Last week, Mogadishu Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein, commonly known as Muungaab, also drew criticism after making remarks about Sadia during a public event.

Referring to her detention, he said: “This woman called Sadia, who is widely talked about these days, it is good for her to be in jail, because even if she is released she will not be safe. I am afraid she will be killed, similar to what happened to Ikraan Tahliil.”

The mayor was referring to Ikraan Tahliil, an employee of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), who disappeared in June 2021. Her disappearance remains one of Somalia’s most controversial unresolved cases.

Minister Hassan Sheikh Ali, a former member of Somalia’s federal parliament, has family in London, United Kingdom, where they reportedly sought asylum during the early 1990s.

During Somalia’s 2016 parliamentary elections, he faced allegations that he had “ordered” the killing of a clan elder who opposed his parliamentary candidacy during a heavily contested selection of parliamentarians in the central Somali town of Adado.

The allegations were widely reported at the time but were never adjudicated in court. Hassan Sheikh Ali never denied wrongdoing, was subsequently elected to parliament, and no criminal proceedings were brought against him.

The minister has not publicly responded to renewed references to those allegations.

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