Somaliland parliamentarian Ahmed Abdi Ibrahim, popularly known as Timo-jilic, has issued a firm rebuke to Djibouti following controversial remarks by its Ambassador to the United States.
The Djiboutian envoy had opposed Somaliland’s international recognition and told the UN Security Council that the international community should not accept Somaliland’s agreement with Israel.
In a strongly worded response, MP Timo-jilic reminded Djibouti that Somaliland existed as a distinct entity long before Djibouti gained independence, emphasizing that the two nations are neighbors who should coexist with mutual respect and good neighborly relations.
He sharply criticized representatives of Islamic countries at the United Nations, stating that any attempt to block Somaliland’s recognition against the clear will of its people is unacceptable.
The lawmaker stressed that the President, the Parliament, the government, and the people of Somaliland stand united against any external interference in their quest for recognition. While reaffirming Somaliland’s deep respect for Islam, he warned that religion must not be weaponized for political pressure.
Direct quote from MP Timo-jilic:
“There is no justification for condemning Djibouti, but I say this to its Ambassador in Washington: We were here before you. We existed before you became a state and before you had a government. We are neighbors, so let us respect one another. To the representatives of Islamic countries at the United Nations, we say: You are all the same in our eyes. We are not pleased with how you are trying to rearrange and dictate our affairs. Our President is not pleased, our nation is not pleased, our Parliament is not pleased, and our media is not pleased. We respect and honor Islam — it occupies the highest place for us. Therefore, stop provoking us!”