According to sources within the Somaliland presidency, President Irro is seeking a “first-hand discussion” with PM Abiy on the MoU signed on 1 January 2024 between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

The agreement, signed under former President Muse Bihi Abdi, granted Ethiopia a 50-year lease on a stretch of Somaliland’s coastline on the Gulf of Aden in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence — a move that triggered strong opposition from Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu.

“President Irro is committed to securing Somaliland’s full international recognition — nothing less than that,” an aide to the president, who requested anonymity, told our reporter. “He wants clarity and direct engagement with the Ethiopian leadership before moving forward.”

The MoU, which remains pending implementation, has been a central focus of Irro’s early diplomatic efforts since taking office.

Last month, during a visit to neighbouring Djibouti, Irro held discussions with Ethiopian diplomats led by Kebede Abera Ido, Ethiopia’s Deputy Ambassador to Djibouti.

Their talks covered regional security, Red Sea maritime access, trade corridors, and investment opportunities.

“The President discussed with the Ambassadors the development of the region’s economy, investment opportunities, trade facilitation, infrastructure, and increased humanitarian aid,” said Hussein Aden Ige, spokesperson for the Somaliland presidency, in a May statement.

Deputy Ambassador Kebede confirmed Ethiopia’s interest in deepening cooperation with Somaliland, particularly in areas of trade and security.

Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, has long sought alternative routes for sea access to enhance its import and export capabilities.

In a sign of intensifying international outreach, President Irro also met with foreign diplomats in Nairobi last week, where he reiterated Somaliland’s longstanding call for international recognition.

“We have not come to Nairobi today with a begging bowl,” Irro told the gathering. “We are not looking for handouts. We are here to build genuine partnerships with governments, investors, and institutions that understand the value of mutual benefit.”

Among many Somalilanders, hopes remain high that Ethiopia’s engagement could be a breakthrough toward international recognition, a goal that has eluded the self-declared republic since its separation from Somalia in 1991.

Irro’s administration appears determined to capitalise on this momentum, even amid diplomatic tensions with Mogadishu.

The post Somaliland President to Discuss Red Sea MoU During Upcoming Ethiopia Visit appeared first on Kaab TV.

His visit coincides with the ongoing trip of Somaliland’s current President, Abdirahman Irro, to the UAE.

President Irro, who arrived in Dubai on Sunday, is engaged in a three-day official visit.

According to Somaliland presidential spokesperson Hussein Aden Igeh, President Irro is scheduled to meet with UAE leaders to discuss bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest.

Additionally, he will address the Somaliland diaspora during an important meeting in the UAE.

The post Former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi Travels to UAE appeared first on Kaab TV.

Held in custody since May 15 in Hargeisa, Busharo’s case has taken a chilling turn as lawmaker Khalif revealed to have met Mohamed Muse Bihi, the elder son of president Bihi, at the Ambassador Hotel at approximately June 25.

According to Khalif, the president’s son admitted to being responsible for targeting Busharo and asserted that only he had the authority to secure her release.

“I followed her movements until she came from Jigjiga. I was the one who arrested her. I asked her if Mohamed Kaahin [Minister of the Interior] would release her. He hit the table and said, ‘By God, he dare not release her’,” revealed MP Ahmed Khalif during his interaction with local media.

This revelation brings to light the role of Mohamed Muse Bihi, who not only wields significant power as the president’s son but also operates in the shadows as the clandestine head of Somaliland’s intelligence service.

Allegations have previously surfaced regarding his involvement in targeting politicians and human rights advocates critical of the state.

Busharo Ali Mohamed, a 29-year-old British-Somali freelance journalist, was apprehended on May 15 as she entered Somaliland from Ethiopia in Wajaale town. Her purpose was to cover local stories in her hometown of Bur’o.

According to her lawyers and press freedom groups, her detention has been marked by alleged torture, leading to injuries on her leg and face.

In a heartfelt plea to President Bihi, Busharo’s family implored for her immediate release. “I appeal to the president. There is no single crime my daughter has committed. She is held just for her freedom of expression, and we know it is a politically motivated case. I ask you Mr. President to free my daughter today,” beseeched Hinda Mohamed Awale, Busharo’s mother.

Busharo’s lawyers have voiced grave concerns about her deteriorating health during continued persecution and detention.

Their assertion is further supported by the fact that she has been taken to court 12 times, yet not formally charged on nine of those occasions. This suggests a prolonged strategy by the persecutor’s office to prolong her police custody.

Initially charged with offenses such as the “Disclosure of Information the Divulgation of Which Has Been Prohibited” and “Publication or Circulation of False, Exaggerated or Tendencious News Capable of Disturbing Public Order,” Busharo’s charges were subsequently amended, as reported by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

On July 18, three new charges were added, including “committing anti-state crimes as a citizen abroad,” “spreading propaganda and fake news to tarnish the reputation of Somaliland,” and “criticizing the deputy president of Somaliland.”

These developments, according to SJS, highlight a deeply political and targeted effort against Busharo, driven by her critical reporting on her Facebook toward President Muse Bihi and his autocratic administration.

The post Somaliland president’s son implicated in persecution of jailed journalist; unveiling a disturbing web of power appeared first on Kaab TV.

President Abdi made these remarks during an event held at the Hargeisa State House on the eve of the anniversary of Somaliland’s proclamation of independence in 1960. Back then, Somaliland was a northern region within Somalia that gained independence from the British protectorate.

The president revealed that clashes in Laascaanood had resumed in the past two days, with his forces coming under attack.

President Abdi placed the blame for the ongoing conflict in Laascaanood on Puntland and al-Shabaab, asserting that specially trained forces supported by the United Arab Emirates and al-Shabaab had joined forces to destabilize the region.

He expressed his willingness to negotiate if the conflict involved only the people of Laascaanood, but claimed that they were being manipulated by external actors.

“We have the right, and we have given orders to our army to continue defending and protecting our borders,” President Abdi stated.

Reflecting on Somaliland’s independence and the union between British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland, President Abdi criticized the rushed union initiated by Somaliland politicians in 1960, stating that they were outnumbered and deceived by politicians in Mogadishu driven by greed.

He called upon the people of Somaliland to work diligently towards gaining international recognition as an independent nation.

On Sunday night, separate commemorations took place in Mogadishu and Laascaanood to mark the union of Somalia, with the flag of Somalia being hoisted in various buildings.

Somaliland, an autonomous region in northern Somalia, declared independence from Somalia in 1991. While it has established a self-governing system and conducted democratic elections, no foreign power currently recognizes Somaliland’s sovereignty.

The post Somaliland president vows to defend borders, calls for negotiations in Laascaanood appeared first on Kaab TV.

Three months into the conflict, close to 200,000 people have been displaced, according to the latest data from the Protection and Return Monitoring Network led by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and called on all parties involved to ensure safe and unimpeded access to those affected by the armed clashes. “People in Laascaanood urgently need humanitarian assistance, and we are acting as quickly as possible to bring it to them,” stated Juerg Eglin, head of the ICRC delegation in Somalia.

ICRC says it has been actively providing support to the victims of the conflict. To date, 88 wounded individuals from Laascaanood have received crucial surgical treatment at Mogadishu’s Madina Hospital, a medical facility supported by the ICRC.

Somaliland, a region in northern Somalia, broke away from the rest of Somalia following a bloody civil war in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally.

The Dhulbahante clan, residing in the Sool region under Somaliland’s administration, has seen a recent desire to break away and align with the federal government of Somalia, citing their disagreement with Somaliland’s unilateral declaration of independence in 1991.

Despite local and international calls for a cessation of the fighting, the prospects of a resolution seem bleak. Both sides involved in the conflict have maintained their aggressive rhetoric and displayed little willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue.

In a recent speech on May 18, President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland affirmed the determination of his forces, stating, “The fighting will not stop until Somaliland liberates back all its borders from external attackers.” This announcement suggests that the conflict will persist until Somaliland regains control over what they perceive as their rightful territory.

Similarly, Dhulbahante elders have vowed to sustain their fight in defense of their ancestral land against Somaliland invasion. They remain steadfast in their determination to protect their territory from what they perceive as external aggression.

As the conflict rages on, the humanitarian situation worsens, with thousands of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and the initiation of dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Laascaanood. However, until both sides are willing to lay down their arms and engage in meaningful negotiations, the cycle of violence and displacement is likely to persist, leaving the civilian population trapped in a dire situation.

The post With limited prospects for peace, Laascaanood fighting continues to cause displacement appeared first on Kaab TV.