Mohamoud Walaaleye
The two Houses of the Parliament of the Republic of Somaliland have jointly endorsed President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi’s ongoing diplomatic mission to the United States and the United Nations, calling for Somaliland’s admission as a full member of the United Nations.
In a joint resolution adopted by the House of Elders and the House of Representatives, Parliament expressed its “full and unanimous endorsement” of the President’s engagements in Washington, D.C., and New York, including meetings with the U.S. executive and legislative branches, foreign policy institutions and representatives of UN member states.
The resolution comes as the President visits Washington and New York during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, alongside a gathering of Somaliland citizens and supporters outside UN Headquarters in New York on September 23.
Parliament Makes Direct Appeal for UN Membership
A central provision of the resolution calls on the UN General Assembly and Security Council to admit the Republic of Somaliland to membership of the United Nations under Article 4 of the UN Charter.
Parliament argues that Somaliland is a “peace-loving State” that meets the criteria for statehood under international law and has demonstrated its ability and willingness to fulfil the obligations of the UN Charter.
The resolution bases its position on Somaliland’s history, territorial boundaries, institutions and record of self-government, while asserting that Somaliland’s restoration of independence is not a claim of secession but a resumption of sovereignty it says it exercised before the 1960 union with Somalia.
Citing Somaliland’s 1960 Independence and Legal Claims
The joint resolution recalls that Somaliland became independent from the United Kingdom on June 26, 1960, before entering into a union with Somalia.
It invokes the principle of uti possidetis juris, references the International Court of Justice’s 1986 Burkina Faso v. Mali judgment, and cites the African Union’s Constitutive Act and the 1964 Cairo Declaration concerning the preservation of inherited African boundaries.
The document also points to the African Union’s 2005 fact-finding mission to Somaliland, highlighting its description of Somaliland’s case as “unique and self-justified in African political history.”
Parliament further cites international legal instruments concerning self-determination, including the UN Charter, the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and UN General Assembly resolutions 1514 and 2625.
The resolution also references the International Court of Justice’s 2010 advisory opinion on Kosovo, particularly its finding that general international law contains no applicable prohibition on declarations of independence.
Statehood and Democratic Record
The two Houses argue that Somaliland has continuously demonstrated the characteristics of statehood described in Article 1 of the Montevideo Convention, citing its permanent population, defined territory, functioning government and capacity to conduct relations with other states.
The resolution points to Somaliland’s multiparty political system, currency, passport, flag and security institutions, as well as what it describes as peaceful electoral transfers of executive and legislative authority.
It also highlights the constitutional referendum of May 31, 2001, and Somaliland’s successive presidential, parliamentary and local elections as evidence of its commitment to constitutional government and political pluralism.
Parliament says Somaliland’s peace and institutional development have been achieved largely through an indigenous reconciliation process combining constitutional institutions with the stabilising role of traditional leadership.
Maritime Security Highlighted
The resolution also places Somaliland’s role in regional security at the centre of its case for international engagement.
Parliament cites the Somaliland Coast Guard’s efforts against piracy and organised crime along the coastline, as well as cooperation with international counter-piracy forces operating in the Gulf of Aden.
It describes Somaliland as a stable actor positioned along a critical maritime corridor for international shipping and stresses the territory’s strategic importance at a time of heightened regional security concerns.
Appeal for Deeper International Engagement
Beyond the UN membership appeal, Parliament calls on the United States and other international partners to deepen direct diplomatic, economic, security, development and parliamentary engagement with Somaliland.
It urges governments, regional organisations and international institutions to assess Somaliland according to what it describes as its particular historical and legal circumstances, original boundaries, democratic record, institutional capacity and sustained self-government.
The resolution also calls on Somaliland’s citizens, political parties, constitutional institutions, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and diaspora communities to maintain national unity, institutional discipline and a coherent national message in pursuing international recognition.
Message of Peace and Good-Neighbourly Relations
The joint resolution stresses that Somaliland’s diplomatic campaign is directed against no state or people.
Parliament reaffirmed Somaliland’s commitment to peaceful diplomacy, democratic governance, international law, regional stability and mutual respect, while stating that Somaliland seeks peaceful and good-neighbourly relations with all neighbouring states.
The resolution instructs that the document be formally transmitted through parliamentary and diplomatic channels to the UN Secretary-General and President of the General Assembly, the UN Security Council, the African Union, IGAD, the European Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, the Commonwealth, the United States government and Congress, and the governments and permanent missions of UN member states.
The Parliament further appealed for Somaliland’s “distinct legal status, democratic record and legitimate aspiration for international recognition” to receive what it described as objective, principled and favourable consideration.
The resolution was adopted at a joint sitting of the House of Elders and the House of Representatives.
It was signed by Muse Haji Abdi Duale, Speaker of the House of Elders; Said Mire Farah, Acting Speaker and First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; Abdinasir Adan Beegsi, Secretary General of the House of Elders; and Abdirisak Said Ayanle, Secretary General of the House of Representatives.
