The Government of the Republic of Somaliland has issued a sharp condemnation of statements by Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, who reportedly urged the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to launch military intervention against Somaliland.
In a press release from the Ministry of Defence, Somaliland described the remarks as a “reckless and dangerous incitement to external aggression.” The statement emphasized that such calls violate fundamental principles of international law, particularly Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the political independence or territorial integrity of any state or polity.
The release highlighted that Minister Fiqi’s comments, made in an interview with Al Jazeera, called for Saudi Arabia to replicate its military approach in Yemen—where it acted against separatist forces—against Somaliland. Somaliland authorities viewed this as a grave escalation that threatens not only their self-governing entity but also regional stability in the Horn of Africa, an area already burdened by complex security issues.
Somaliland’s statement further noted a pattern of hostility from the minister, including repeated inflammatory rhetoric in international forums that hinders peaceful coexistence. It evoked painful historical memories of the late 1980s under the Siad Barre regime, when foreign-backed aggression led to widespread violence and persecution against Somalilanders.
The Ministry of Defence declared Somaliland’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security as “non-negotiable.” It warned that any direct or indirect attempts to instigate or support military action would face a resolute and lawful defense.
Somaliland called on the Somalia government and Minister Fiqi to immediately retract the statements and repudiate any threats. The release also appealed to the international community, regional partners, and global actors to denounce the rhetoric and uphold principles of peace, non-aggression, and respect for the security and will of peoples.
While reaffirming its commitment to peace, regional cooperation, and harmonious relations with neighbors, Somaliland stressed its full preparedness to defend its nation against any aggression that endangers its stability.
PRESS RELEASE
Somaliland Condemns Incitement to External Military Aggression
The Government of the Republic of Somaliland, through the Ministry of Defence, expresses its profound alarm and unequivocal condemnation of statements attributed to Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, in which he is reported to have called upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to intervene militarily against Somaliland.
Such statements constitute a reckless and dangerous incitement to external aggression. Under international law, including Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, the threat or use of force against a people’s political independence or territorial integrity is strictly prohibited. Publicly advocating for military action against Somaliland-a self-governing and peaceful polity-represents a grave violation of international norms and an unacceptable escalation that endangers regional peace and stability.
This call for aggression poses a serious threat not only to Somaliland but also to the wider Horn of Africa region, which already faces complex security challenges. Regrettably, this is not an isolated incident. Minister Fiqi has repeatedly demonstrated hostility toward Somaliland and has, on other occasions, employed inflammatory and divisive rhetoric, including most recently in international forums, undermining prospects for peaceful coexistence.
For the people of Somaliland, such threats painfully echo the dark legacy of the Siad Barre regime, during which foreign-backed aggression and systematic violence resulted in the mass killing and persecution of hundreds of thousands of Somalilanders in the late 1980s. These memories remain deeply ingrained in our national consciousness, and any suggestion of renewed external military action is both alarming and profoundly irresponsible.
Let it be stated clearly and without ambiguity: Somaliland’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security are non-negotiable. Any attempt-direct or indirect-to instigate or facilitate military aggression against Somaliland will be met with a firm and lawful response in defence of our people and our nation.
The Ministry of Defence therefore condemns, in the strongest possible terms, these hostile and inflammatory statements. We call upon the Government of Somalia and Minister Fiqi to immediately retract and repudiate any threats directed at Somaliland. We further urge the international community, including regional and global partners, to publicly condemn this irresponsible rhetoric and to uphold the principles of peace, non-aggression, and respect for the will and security of peoples.
Somaliland remains committed to peace, regional cooperation, and harmonious coexistence with its neighbours. However, while we seek peace, we are fully prepared and resolute in defending our nation against any aggression from any actor that seeks to undermine our security and stability.