Mohamoud Walaaleye
“It will pursue justice and reparations for every victim and every affected community,” he said
In a landmark event marking Somaliland’s National Day celebrations, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro officially launched the Somaliland Independent Recognition Institute in Hargeisa, describing it as a historic step in Somaliland’s long pursuit of international recognition.
Addressing a distinguished audience of diplomats, international partners, scholars, and supporters from around the world, President Irro declared that the institute would become the intellectual and diplomatic center of Somaliland’s recognition campaign.
“Today, we finally have both the opportunity and the determination to answer a longstanding national need,” President Irro said. “Today, that need finds its home.”
The ceremony, held on the symbolic date of 18 May, drew ambassadors and representatives from several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Taiwan, and Ethiopia, alongside international guests and members of the media.
President Irro said the institute was not created out of political convenience, but rather from decades of persistent demands by Somaliland citizens and supporters who have sought a stronger, more organized global effort for recognition.
“This institute did not emerge from a moment of impulse,” he stated. “It emerged from a longstanding national need — whispered in the corridors of diplomacy and repeatedly raised by citizens.”
The Somaliland leader emphasized that the institute would serve as a center for documenting and preserving the history of Somaliland’s struggle, while also advancing rigorous academic research and policy advocacy.
“Our cause is not only just,” he said. “It is intellectually defensible, legally grounded, and historically undeniable.”
Throughout his speech, President Irro highlighted the international friendships Somaliland has built over the years, praising individuals, governments, and organizations that have supported Somaliland’s aspirations despite the absence of formal recognition.
“This institute will become their home,” he declared, describing it as a platform where Somaliland’s friends and partners can coordinate efforts and transform solidarity into meaningful global action.
According to President Irro, the institute will carry several key responsibilities, including advancing Somaliland’s recognition through diplomatic and legal channels, coordinating international advocacy efforts, and documenting crimes and injustices committed against Somaliland and its people.
“It will pursue justice and reparations for every victim and every affected community,” he said, referring to those who suffered imprisonment, displacement, loss of family members, and destruction during past conflicts.
“Their suffering will not be forgotten. Their claims will not expire.”
The President described the institute as “our answer to history” and “our commitment to the future,” expressing hope that Somaliland would ultimately receive “the recognition it has always deserved.”
A significant portion of the speech was dedicated to honoring international figures who helped establish the institute. President Irro expressed deep gratitude to Sir William Gavin, Professor Jason McCue, and their associates for what he called their “extraordinary contribution and selfless service” to Somaliland.
“Their unwavering commitment to our cause has been a source of strength and a beacon of hope,” he said. “Without their dedication, advocacy, and belief in Somaliland’s rightful place among the nations of the world, the establishment of this institute would not have been possible.”
The launch of the Somaliland Independent Recognition Institute is already being viewed by many observers as one of the most significant political and diplomatic developments in Somaliland in recent years — signaling a renewed and more institutionalized push for international recognition.
As applause filled the hall at the conclusion of the ceremony, President Irro thanked all attendees, including members of the international media, before ending his speech with a simple message:
“Thank you very much.”
Full excerpts of the Republic of Somaliland President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro’s speech, are below:
Distinguished guests, honorary partners, and followers,
Thank you very much. I thank everyone who has travelled to join us and celebrate 18 May across the world.
There are many dignitaries present, so I cannot mention all of their names, but I thank everyone. I also thank the ambassadors representing their countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Taiwan, and Ethiopia.
I also see my close friend and former MP in Helsinki, Mr. Kil Junen
Today, I am honored to officially launch the Somaliland Independent Recognition Institute in Hargeisa, the capital of the Republic of Somaliland, on 18 May 2026.
So, officially, we have launched the institute.
This institute did not emerge from a moment of impulse or political convenience. It emerged from a longstanding national need — a need repeatedly raised by citizens, whispered in the corridors of diplomacy, and articulated in informal discussions.
It is a need that for too long went unanswered.
Today, we finally have both the opportunity and the determination to answer it. Today, that need finds its home.
This institute will serve as a centre where the history and struggle for Somaliland recognition are documented, preserved, and examined with rigor.
Our story deserves to be told not through sentiment alone, but through serious academic inquiry and serious policy work. Because our cause is not only just — it is intellectually defensible, legally grounded, and historically undeniable.
Somaliland has never been alone in this journey.
Around the world, there are individuals, institutions, and governments who believe in what we stand for — who have stood beside us, spoken for us, and sacrificed for us.
This institute will become their home.
A place where Somaliland’s friends and partners can come together, contribute meaningfully, and transform solidarity from words into action, and sympathy into tangible, lasting impact.
And let there be no ambiguity about what this institution represents to the world. It will stand as a symbol of Somaliland beyond our borders — a living testament to our history, our resilience, our aspirations, and our rightful place in the international community.
To that end, it will carry serious and consequential responsibilities.
It will follow up on and advance Somaliland recognition through every legal and diplomatic pathway available to us — systematically, strategically, and without rest.
It will bring together and coordinate Somaliland’s international friends and partners, aligning voices, consolidating efforts, and ensuring that global goodwill translates into coordinated action.
It will document and pursue accountability for the international crimes committed against the Somaliland state and its people. Because truths must be recorded, and those responsible must be named.
And it will pursue justice and reparations, ensuring compensations for every victim and every affected community — for those who were imprisoned without cause, for those who lost family members, and for those who suffered looting, displacement, and every form of harm inflicted upon them by the Somalia state.
Their suffering will not be forgotten.
Their claims will not expire.
This institute is our answer to history. It is our commitment to the future.
May it serve Somaliland with honor, and may Somaliland at last receive the recognition it has always deserved.
I extend my deepest and most sincere gratitude to Sir William Gavin, Professor Jason McCue, and all their friends for their extraordinary contribution and selfless service to Somaliland.
Their unwavering commitment to our cause has been a source of strength and a beacon of hope.
In particular, we honor them for their vital role in bringing the idea of this institute from vision to reality.
Without their dedication, advocacy, and belief in Somaliland’s rightful place among the nations of the world, the establishment of this institute would not have been possible.
Somaliland is deeply indebted to them, and their names will forever be associated with this milestone in our national journey.
I thank everybody, including the international media.
Thank you very much.