By Goth Mohamed Goth
HARGEISA, Somaliland – In a strongly worded address, Somaliland’s Minister of Information and government spokesperson, Mr. Ahmed-Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle, has unequivocally stated that the federal administration in Mogadishu possesses neither the power nor the means to invalidate Somaliland’s sovereignty.
The Minister’s remarks were delivered on Thursday during a graduation ceremony for 311 medical students from Edna University in Hargeisa.
Directly addressing the Somali federal government, Minister Ayaanle issued a defiant message: “To those in Mogadishu who believe they can nullify Somaliland, attack our airspace, our waters, or create instability within our territory—we have a clear message: you cannot intimidate us. You will not prevent us from achieving our rightful goal of international recognition as a sovereign nation among the global community.”
He framed Somaliland’s resilience as a victory against aggression, noting, “Despite the missiles launched to bomb and terrorize, targeting assets paid for by our people’s taxes, they have failed to force our surrender. The narrative has changed; we are not the ones being pressured. We have seized control of our own entry protocols.”
Focus on Healthcare and National Development
Shifting to domestic policy, the Minister counseled the new medical graduates to serve with compassion, particularly towards the most vulnerable in society.
He further called on all citizens to cherish and actively defend the nation’s hard-won sovereignty.
Outlining the government’s domestic priorities, Minister Ayaanle emphasized a commitment to decentralizing and improving healthcare access. “Our governmental policy envisions that every Somalilander, regardless of location, has access to quality medical care,” he stated.
Achieving this goal, he acknowledged, requires “a significant investment of resources, capacity, and concerted policy effort. Completing our decentralization process is essential to ensuring every district in Somaliland has access to the medical services it needs.”