A large rally by Somaliland citizens and members of the Somaliland diaspora from the United States and Canada was held Wednesday 23rd September, 2026 outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, with delegation of senior government officials joining the gathering.
Held at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza directly outside the UN headquarters, the rally brought together the Speaker of the House of Representatives, members of the Somaliland government and members of the Somaliland community in North America to publicly express their political aspirations and call for international recognition of the Republic of Somaliland.
Participants carried the Somaliland flag and directed their message toward world leaders and government delegations gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
“We came here to express our feelings. We will continue making appeals,” Speaker of the House of Representatives Yasin Haji Mohamoud Hiir (Faratoon) said during the rally.
The demonstration presented the Somaliland recognition issue as a national aspiration extending beyond the government or any single political organization. Participants highlighted decades of efforts to build peace, stability, democratic institutions and a functioning state.
“We are seeking rights that we are entitled to,” Somaliland’s Minister of Defence said.
The demonstrators called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to listen to the aspirations of the people of Somaliland and consider the Somaliland question in light of developments on the ground, the wishes of its people, its historical experience, legal considerations and the strategic significance of the region.
The rally also served as an opportunity for Somalilanders in North America to present their message directly to the international community at a time when world leaders and senior government delegations are converging on New York for the UN General Assembly.
The public gathering reflected the diaspora’s support for Somaliland’s political aspirations while emphasizing the country’s experience with peacebuilding, state formation and democratic governance.
President Irro had earlier met with Somaliland diaspora representatives in Washington during his visit to the United States, accompanied by senior members of his government.
The New York rally comes as Somaliland continues its diplomatic campaign for international recognition, with its supporters seeking greater international attention to the territory’s political status and its long-standing claim to separate statehood.