In a powerful show of support, British Members of Parliament gathered at a significant meeting in Westminster to advocate for the international recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state. Organized by Somaliland’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hon. Abdi Abdillahi Dayah-Weerar, the event highlighted Somaliland’s democratic achievements and its quest for self-determination. The gathering was attended by British government officials, MPs, the National Commission Chairman, distinguished guests, and members of the Somaliland diaspora.
Leading the charge was MP Hon. Gavin Williamson, a long-standing advocate for Somaliland’s independence, who delivered a compelling speech criticizing the international community’s failure to acknowledge Somaliland’s stability and democratic progress. Williamson contrasted Somaliland’s peaceful governance with Somalia’s ongoing challenges, stating, “Somaliland gained independence on June 26, 1960, but entered a union with Somalia, where its people faced genocide. Somalia took every step to oppress the people of Somaliland. Yet, Somaliland emerged as a nation that fosters peace, without seeking revenge.”
He emphasized Somaliland’s democratic credentials, noting its peaceful transitions of presidential power and functioning governance system. “Somaliland has established a democratic process with peaceful transitions of presidential power. I see this as the hallmark of a true nation-state, unlike Somalia, which has been plagued by corruption and destruction,” Williamson declared. He urged global powers, including the UK, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia, to recognize Somaliland based on “the reality on the ground.”
Williamson announced that he and his colleagues are preparing a report to promote Somaliland’s cause and outline a path toward recognition. “My fellow MPs and I, as friends of Somaliland, will always advocate for its cause, as we have done before, and we firmly believe in this objective,” he affirmed, predicting that 2025 could mark a turning point for Somaliland’s recognition if efforts are intensified.
Ambassador Dayah-Weerar echoed these sentiments, stating, “The time has come for the international community to acknowledge Somaliland’s progress and accept its right to self-determination.” Other officials at the event reinforced this message, agreeing that Somaliland’s achievements—such as its stable government, democratic elections, and strategic importance in the Horn of Africa—deserve recognition. They called for the international community to reward Somaliland’s self-reliance and set a precedent for supporting nations that achieve stability independently.
The event underscored growing bipartisan support in the UK Parliament for Somaliland, building on previous efforts like Williamson’s 2023 Republic of Somaliland (Recognition) Bill and a 2022 parliamentary debate where MPs praised Somaliland’s democratic stability. Recent developments, such as Somaliland’s 2024 election, which saw a peaceful transfer of power to the opposition Waddani Party, further bolster its case for recognition.
As Somaliland continues to engage global partners and leverage its strategic position along the Gulf of Aden, the Westminster event marks a pivotal moment in its 34-year quest for international legitimacy.