Hargeisa, Somaliland| The Republic of Somaliland has officially suspended all ongoing and future dialogue with the Federal Government of Somalia, following what it described as a provocative and unlawful visit by Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to the disputed city of Las Anod on April 12.
The visit, which was unannounced and uncoordinated with Somaliland authorities, has been deemed a grave violation of Somaliland’s sovereignty and international legal norms.
In a strongly worded communiqué issued after a cabinet meeting chaired by Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi “Irro,” the government characterized the Prime Minister’s visit as a deliberate provocation aimed at inflaming tensions in the volatile Sool region.
The statement accused Mogadishu of engaging in actions that could destabilize the region and jeopardize efforts to maintain peace and security.
“This visit constitutes a direct breach of international law and an infringement on Somaliland’s territorial integrity,” the statement read, adding that Somaliland would no longer participate in any form of dialogue with Somalia.
The cabinet also moved to correct what it termed as misleading narratives emanating from Mogadishu. Specifically, it refuted claims that discussions had been held regarding the transfer of detainees between the two entities.
The government asserted that no such negotiations had taken place, and that Somalia’s framing of the issue was a diversionary tactic intended to obscure growing political and security crises within the Somali federal system.
According to the statement, the individuals reportedly transferred by Prime Minister Barre are not prisoners of war, as suggested by some Somali officials, but rather persons unlawfully removed without due process.
The Somaliland government maintained that its ongoing cooperation with international partners on detainee-related issues—particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and governments such as the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates—follows established international protocols.
The government also issued an urgent call to the international community to take note of what it described as repeated violations by Somalia in the eastern Sool region.
It warned that continued provocations could have far-reaching implications, potentially enabling the resurgence of extremist groups and undermining regional stability.
“The international community must not remain silent as Mogadishu pursues reckless policies that threaten the fragile peace of the Horn of Africa,” the statement urged.
In its final and most consequential announcement, Somaliland declared an immediate and total suspension of all talks with Somalia, reiterating its position that the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Somaliland are not open to negotiation.
This marks a significant escalation in the long-standing dispute between the two sides, which have had a tumultuous relationship since Somaliland’s self-declared independence in 1991.
Diplomatic observers warn that this rupture in communication could further complicate international efforts to mediate the dispute and foster a peaceful resolution.
With tensions mounting, there are growing fears of renewed clashes in contested areas such as Las Anod, which has already experienced intermittent violence between local forces and Somali-aligned militias.
This latest development underscores the deep-rooted mistrust and conflicting national narratives that continue to plague relations between Somaliland and Somalia.
As both sides harden their positions, the path toward a negotiated settlement appears more elusive than ever, placing renewed urgency on the role of international mediators in preventing further deterioration of the fragile regional security architecture.
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