The people of Somaliland, their clerics, scholars, traditional elders and political parties share a fundamental position on Somaliland as a nation and their right to self-determination, asserts Farah
By M.A. Egge
Somaliland’s ruling WADDANI Party and opposition parties KULMIYE and Kaah have separately defended Somaliland’s position on Israel’s recognition of the Republic of Somaliland, and scoffed at insinuations by Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre concerning the response of Somaliland’s political and traditional institutions.
KULMIYE Secretary-General Faisal Abdirahman Madar, speaking at a press conference in Hargeisa, said his party supports Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and considers the issue of Somaliland’s statehood to be beyond political negotiation.
“The KULMIYE Party once again makes clear that the recognition Somaliland received from Israel is not subject to negotiation, and we support it. The decision concerning Somaliland’s existence is irreversible, and no one can change it,” Madar said.
He called on Somalia’s federal government to recognize the Republic of Somaliland, saying Mogadishu still had an opportunity to take such a step. He also urged neighbouring countries to support Somaliland’s bid for wider international recognition.
Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on December 26, 2025, according to the statement, with the two sides subsequently signing a joint declaration establishing diplomatic relations.
Similarly, Kaah Party leader Abdikarim Mohamed rejected remarks by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who said Somaliland’s religious scholars, traditional elders and political parties did not support Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Hamza made the remarks during an interview with a Somali TV podcast, saying: “We were pleased that the people of Somaliland, the religious scholars, traditional elders and all the political parties are not in agreement with this, and the Somali people do not accept it.”
He disputed that characterization, saying Somaliland’s political parties, religious scholars and traditional elders share what he described as a fundamental position concerning Somaliland’s existence and right to self-determination, despite disagreements over other political issues.
“I am telling you that the people of Somaliland, their religious scholars, traditional elders and political parties share one ‘fundamental’ position based on the existence of Somaliland as a nation and their right to self-determination,” he said.
He accused the Somali prime minister of misreading political debates within Somaliland and said disagreements among Somaliland’s political actors should not be interpreted as opposition to Somaliland’s statehood.
“Your statement appears to show that you have become confused and lost in the debates and views within Somaliland’s political parties and society,” Madar said.
He concluded his response with a Somali chiding phrase denoting a browbeaten hypocrite, saying, “Let me cry, shut the door so that I hide,” which he used to characterize what he portrayed as the Somali government’s response to developments concerning Somaliland.
The conservative WADDANI Party has, on several occasions, strongly and steadfastly defended Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, while consistently standing up for the interests of the Republic of Somaliland, whether on the issue of recognition or in support of the government and the President’s efforts to secure formal recognition from other countries around the world.