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Foreign relations of Somaliland

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Foreign relations of the Republic of Somaliland are the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Somaliland.[1] The region's self-declaration of independence (from Somalia on 18 May 1991, after the start of ongoing Somali Civil War) remains unrecognised by the international community.[2][3]

Due to its status, the Republic of Somaliland currently has official contacts with only a few nations, such as Ethiopia, which has signed a strategic and infrastructure agreement,[4][5] and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has signed a concession agreement to manage the Port of Berbera.[6] Somaliland has established de facto embassies with nations such as the United States, as well as Taiwan.[7] International recognition as a sovereign state remains at the forefront of the government's current foreign policy. Other key priorities include encouraging international aid and foreign direct investment.

Most multilateral organisations and countries in the international community support the territorial integrity (i.e. territorial unity) of Somalia and its central government, the Federal Government of Somalia during the ongoing civil war and oppose Somaliland's secession.[8]

British Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham addressing the Somaliland Parliament, July 2011

International relations[edit]

Map of diplomatic missions in Somaliland
  Somaliland
  States with consulate or representative office in Somaliland
Map of diplomatic missions of Somaliland
  Somaliland
  States hosting a representative office of Somaliland

Somaliland has political contacts with neighbouring Ethiopia[9] and Djibouti,[10] as well as with Belgium,[9] Canada,[11] France,[12] Ghana,[9] Kenya,[11] Norway,[11] Russia,[13] South Africa,[9] South Sudan,[11] Sweden,[9] the United Kingdom,[9][14] the United States,[15] and Yemen.[11]

In 2007, a delegation led by President Kahin was present at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala, Uganda. Although Somaliland has applied to join the Commonwealth under observer status, its application is still pending.[16]

Middle East[edit]

Israel[edit]

Main article: Israel–Somaliland relations

Israel was one of 35 countries that recognised Somaliland's brief independence in 1960.[17] However, it does not currently hold direct diplomatic ties with Somaliland. In February 2010, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yigal Palmor was quoted in the Haaretz Daily that his government was ready to recognise Somaliland again.[18][19] However, he stated that the Somaliland government has not contacted the Israeli government to seek ties.

In 1995, former President Egal of Somaliland also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin seeking to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries.[19] In September 2001, it was also reported that Somaliland was looking towards Tel Aviv after Saudi Arabia banned imports of livestock from the country due to Rift Valley fever.[20] During this time several Israeli businessmen were also in the nation's capital Hargeisa.[20] However, President Kahin, who succeeded Egal, is reported to have avoided approaching Israel to prevent straining fragile relations with the Arab and Muslim world, which it heavily relies for its livestock trade.[19] In August 2020, Somaliland expressed its support for the Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement.[21]

Turkey[edit]

Though not recognising Somaliland and accrediting the building to Somalia, Turkey has an active consulate in Hargeisa.[22] Since 2013, Turkey has been a mediator between the Somali and Somaliland governments.[23] In 2019, Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Isse Awad stated that Turkey plays a leading role in the mediation process.[24]

In 2012, Genel Enerji, an energy company mostly owned by Çukurova Holding, signed a deal with the Somaliland government to search oil reserves within the nation.[25]

United Arab Emirates[edit]

Main article: Somaliland–United Arab Emirates relations
The President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi with UAE Amb. Abdulla Alnaqbi.

In February 2017, both houses of the parliament of Somaliland accepted the bid from the government of the UAE for the Union Defence Force (UAE) to establish a military base in Berbera along with the redevelopment of the Berbera Airport.[26] The United Arab Emirates has appointed a new representative to Somaliland which will be the first Arab nation to send a diplomat to Hargeisa.[27] On 13 March 2021, Abdulla Al-Naqbi was appointed as UAE ambassador to Somaliland.[28][29]

Africa[edit]

In 2011, the foreign ministers of South Africa and Tanzania said that they would not recognise Somaliland and preferred that Somalia remained a single country.[30] In 2012, South Africa and Ethiopia again re-affirmed their continued support for Somalia's government, territorial integrity, and sovereignty at the mini-summit on Somalia in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.[8] However, South Africa has formally declared that Somaliland fulfils the Montevideo Convention criteria for statehood in addition to it accepting the Somaliland passport.[31]

The African Union (AU) is considering Somaliland's application for membership to the bloc and has indicated a willingness to deal with it as an 'outstanding case'.[31]

Ethiopia[edit]

Main article: Ethiopia–Somaliland relations

Somaliland has had decent economic relations with Ethiopia since the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, as a large part of Ethiopian exports have been handled via the port of Berbera, since Ethiopia can no longer use Eritrean ports of Massaua and Assab. These relationships stand in contrast to the "traditional hostility" towards Ethiopia felt by many Somalis in other areas, and against the background of low support among many northern Somalis for Siad Barre's Ogaden War against Ethiopia and the Somali National Movement which Ethiopia assisted financially.[32] So far, however, these have not led to official Ethiopian recognition. On 1 January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a pact giving Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in return for eventual recognition, making it the first UN member state to do so.[33][34][35]

Guinea[edit]

The President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, visit to the Republic of Guinea.

In late July 2019, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi led a delegation to the Republic of Guinea at the invitation of President Alpha Conde.[36][37]

Kenya[edit]

President Bihi and Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta

In December 2020, Kenya and Somaliland agreed that a Kenyan consulate would open in Hargeisa, and to commence direct flights between Hargeisa and Nairobi, both by March 2021.[38]

Asia[edit]

In January 2018, Somaliland gained attention from the Philippines, and later East Timor, after legislation outlawing rape is successfully passed.[39]

Pakistan[edit]

In November 2009, a Pakistani delegation composed of Sheikh Mansoor Ahmed, Secretary General of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, Shafiq Ahmed Qureshi, Peace Representative, former diplomat and Senior Consular Officer, and Abdul Razak Dinnaari, an ambassador, visited Somaliland and proposed the opening of a Somaliland trade office in Pakistan.[40] In February 2020, Pakistan's Look Africa Policy Initiative conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya.[41]

Taiwan[edit]

Main article: Somaliland–Taiwan relations
Somaliland Foreign Minister Hagi Mohamoud with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

In July 2020, Somaliland announced that it would establish a representative office in Taiwan (Republic of China).[42] The Taiwan Representative Office officially was established in Hargeisa the next month.[43] In August, Taiwan opened its office in Somaliland, which was reciprocated by Somaliland by opening an office in Taiwan on 9 September 2020.[44]

Americas[edit]

United States[edit]

Main article: Somaliland–United States relations

Somaliland and the United States do not have official diplomatic relations. However, Somaliland operates a representative liaison office in Washington, D.C., but it does not have formal diplomatic status under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.[45] Both countries do maintain contacts as delegations from both sides have met in the past. The U.S. policy regarding Somaliland is to first allow the African Union to deliberate the question regarding the status of Somaliland as an independent nation.

The United States engages Somaliland on policy matters such as democratization and economic development. In 2007, the United States provided $1,000,000 in aid through the International Republican Institute to support training for parliamentarians and other key programs in preparations for the 2010 Somaliland presidential election. The U.S. expected to provide an additional $1,500,000 in continued support for the democratization process in Somaliland following the elections.[46]

Europe[edit]

Germany[edit]

Main article: Germany–Somaliland relations

In 2002, Germany considered recognising Somaliland and establishing a military base in the country. They did not do so and the naval base was instead established in Djibouti.[47][48][49] German naval ships already operated from Berbera.[47] In September 2012, at the mini-summit on Somalia on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, the German government re-affirmed its continued support for Somalia's government, territorial integrity and sovereignty.[50] In 2019, the German ambassador to Kenya and Somalia visited Hargeisa and met with Muse Bihi Abdi.[51]

United Kingdom[edit]

Main article: Somaliland–United Kingdom relations

In April 2014, the Sheffield City Council in the United Kingdom voted to recognise the right to self-determination of Somaliland, the second British city council to do so, with Bristol[when?] being the first. The gesture however was ceremonial and not legally binding.[52] On 26 March 2015, Cardiff City Council followed suit[53] and later on 18 May 2015, the UK Independence Party announced their support for the recognition of Somaliland.[54] This was followed by the Conservative UK government's official opening of a British Office in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. In 2020, the United Kingdom, Denmark and the Netherlands approved four agreements with the government of Somaliland to improve critical infrastructure to support economic growth.[55] In July 2019, the Birmingham City Council recognised the right to self-determination of Somaliland, becoming the 5th in Britain. On 4 July 2023, Gavin Williamson proposed a bill to the UK Parliament that would require the United Kingdom to recognise the Republic of Somaliland.[56]

Foreign Minister[edit]

Main article: Minister of Foreign Affairs (Somaliland)
Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo, 4th President of the Republic of Somaliland, speaking at Chatham House in 2010.

Dr. Essa Kayd serves as the Foreign Minister of Somaliland.[57]

Diplomatic representative offices[edit]

Further information: List of diplomatic missions of Somaliland and List of diplomatic missions in Somaliland

Somaliland maintains representative (liaison) offices in several countries, but these missions do not have formal diplomatic status under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Such offices exist in the following cities:

The following foreign governments have diplomatic offices in Hargeisa:

As of February 2010, the Yemeni government is reportedly planning to open a diplomatic office in Hargeisa.[77][78]

Somaliland entry visa

Passports[edit]

Main article: Somaliland passport
Regular Passport
Service Passport
Diplomatic Passport

Somaliland issues its own passports, recognised by certain nations. If and when Somaliland achieves its goal of recognition, a number of countries have stated that they will allow Somalilanders to travel to their countries, subject to visa regulations.[citation needed]

Organisational membership[edit]

Somaliland is a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO).[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Council of Ministers. Government of Somaliland.
  2. ^ "UN in Action: Reforming Somaliland's Judiciary" (PDF). Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  3. ^ Lacey, Marc (5 June 2006). "The Signs Say Somaliland, but the World Says Somalia". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Ethiopia: Somaliland signed strategic trade and infrastructure agreement - Geeska Afrika Online". www.GeeskaAfrika.com. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  5. ^ geeskadmin (19 November 2014). "Ethiopia: Somaliland signed strategic trade and infrastructure agreement - Geeska Afrika Online". Geeska Afrika Online. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  6. ^ Stevis, Matina; Fitch, Asa (30 May 2016). "Dubai's DP World Agrees to Manage Port in Somaliland for 30 Years". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 December 2016 – via www.WSJ.com.
  7. ^ "Somaliland and Taiwan: Two territories with few friends but each other". BBC News. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Communiqué on Secretary-General's Mini-Summit on Somalia". United Nations. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Somaliland closer to recognition by Ethiopia". Afrol News. Retrieved 6 July 2007.
  10. ^ "Somaliland, Djibouti in bitter port feud". afrol News. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Christopher, Clapham (June 2011). "African Game Changer?: The Consequences of Somaliland's International (Non) Recognition" (PDF). The Brenthurst Foundation.
  12. ^ "France recognizes de facto Somaliland". Les Nouvelles d'Addis. 8 April 2008. Archived from the original on 15 July 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  13. ^ "Putin flexes muscles with plans for new African base - with chilling echoes of Suez". express.co.uk. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Somaliland". United Kingdom Parliament. 4 February 2004. Retrieved 23 February 2007.
  15. ^ "Somaliland Liaison Office Washington DC". Somaliland Liaison Office. Archived from the original on 4 April 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  16. ^ "Somaliland on verge of observer status in the Commonwealth". Qaran News. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  17. ^ Bereketeab, Redie (2012). Self-determination and Secessionism in Somaliland and South Sudan: Challenges to Postcolonial State-building. Nordiska Afrikainstitutet. ISBN 978-91-7106-725-8.
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  19. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Somaliland: Israel says ready to recognize Somaliland". UNPO. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b "Somaliland 'here to stay'". 5 February 2001. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  21. ^ "Somaliland Joins World In Hailing Israel And UAE Diplomatic Deal". busiweek.com. 14 August 2020.
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  23. ^ "Türkiye - Somali Siyasi İlişkileri". mfa.gov.tr.
  24. ^ "'Somali'nin Türkiye'den daha iyi dostu yok'". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Somali'de petrol rezervi ne kadar? Erdoğan'ın 'Teklif geldi' açıklamasına Somali Petrol Bakanı ne diyor?". BBC News Türkçe (in Turkish). Retrieved 18 May 2021.
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  27. ^ "UAE Appoints a new representative to Somaliland". Somaliland Standard. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  28. ^ "Madaxweynaha Somaliland oo warqadda aqoonsiga ka guddoomay wakiilka Imaaraatka - Somali". BBC News Somali (in Somali). Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  29. ^ Staff (13 March 2021). "President Bihi Welcomes the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Somaliland". Somaliland Chronicle. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  30. ^ "SA, Tanzania don't recognise Somaliland". Times Live. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
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  32. ^ Maria Brons: Somaliland: Two years after the declaration of independence, 1993, ISBN 978-3-928049-23-8 (S. 11, 23, 25)
  33. ^ "Somaliland and Ethiopia: Recognition for Sea Access". January 2024.
  34. ^ "Ethiopia signs agreement to use Somaliland's Red Sea port". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  35. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/landlocked-ethiopia-signs-pact-use-somalilands-red-sea-port-2024-01-01 [bare URL]
  36. ^ "Somaliland MPs adopt first ever rape law". Rappler. 10 January 2018.
  37. ^ "Somaliland President Arrives in Guinea-Conakry for State Visit". 2 July 2019.
  38. ^ "Somalia Severs Diplomatic Ties With Kenya". The New York Times. 15 December 2020.
  39. ^ "'A great milestone': Somaliland adopts legislation outlawing rape". the Guardian. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  40. ^ "Pakistani Delegation Arrives In Somaliland". busiweek.com. 8 November 2009. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Pakistan Asked To Extend Its Look Africa Policy Initiative To Somaliland". busiweek.com. 3 February 2020.
  42. ^ Jump up to: a b "Taiwan Strengthens Ties With Breakaway Somaliland". Bloomberg. July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  43. ^ "台灣駐索馬利蘭代表處正式成立 雙方國旗飄揚[影] | 政治 | 重點新聞 | 中央社 CNA". www.cna.com.tw (in Chinese). Central News Agency. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  44. ^ "Somaliland to open office in Taiwan". Taiwan News. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  45. ^ "THE CONTACTS AND ADDRESSES OF THE SOMALILAND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES AROUND THE WORLD". Archived from the original on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  46. ^ "United States Policy on Somaliland". Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  47. ^ Jump up to: a b "Deutsche Flotte bricht nach Ostafrika auf". German News Information GmbH. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  48. ^ "FB 05 Gesellschaftswissenschaften".
  49. ^ "Dschibuti – Einer der heißesten Flecken der Welt". Süddeutsche.de. 2 January 2002. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  50. ^ "Communiqué on Secretary-General's Mini-Summit on Somalia". United Nations. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  51. ^ "Somaliland President Receives German Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia". Horn Diplomat. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  52. ^ "Somaliland Hails British Step Forward in Independence Bid". VOA. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  53. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (26 March 2015). "Cardiff becomes the third UK council to recognise the Republic of Somaliland". walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  54. ^ "UKIP supports Somaliland National Day". somalilandpress.com. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  55. ^ "UK, Denmark and Netherlands approve agreements with Somaliland Government on critical infrastructure to improve people's lives" (Press release). Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  56. ^ "Gavin Williamson introduces Bill on Somaliland recognition". Politics.co.uk. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  57. ^ Center, Africa (5 December 2018). "Somaliland's Foreign Minister Discusses Trade and Recognition". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  58. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Contacts and addresses of the Somaliland Representative Offices around the world Archived 27 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Government of Somaliland.
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  60. ^ "Somaliland Consulate in Djibouti Ville".
  61. ^ "Embassy of Somalia in Juba, South Sudan". Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  62. ^ "Consulate of Somaliland in Juba - South Sudan".
  63. ^ Somaliland Mission UK Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  64. ^ Wiren, Robert (8 April 2008). France recognizes de facto Somaliland Archived 15 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Les Nouvelles d'Addis. Versailles. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  65. ^ Somaliland Trade Liaison Office, Pretoria. Visit of Somaliland's UCID Foreign affairs spokesperson to south Africa. Qaran News (1 May 2010). Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  66. ^ []
  67. ^ Somaliland Diplomatic Mission in Sweden Archived 10 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Somaliland Embassy in Sweden.
  68. ^ Ethiopia's New Representative to Somaliland. Qarannews (30 October 2009). Retrieved 25 May 2010.
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    • DenmarkArchived 10 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine. International Council on Security and Development. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  70. ^ "SOMALIA: Ethiopia opens consulate in Puntland". Horseedmedia.net. 29 May 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  71. ^ "Kenya, Somaliland talks bear fruits as liaison opened in Hargeisa".
  72. ^ "Kenya names head of Liaison Office to Somaliland". 7 September 2021.
  73. ^ "Kenya appoints head of Liaison Office to Somaliland - The East African". 7 September 2021.
  74. ^ Isaac, Ongiri (17 May 2014). "Kenya to open liaison office in Somaliland". Daily Nation. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  75. ^ "Somaliland president receives credentials from UAE envoy". BBC. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  76. ^ "UAE Appoints a new representative to Somaliland". Somaliland Standard. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  77. ^ "Somaliland: Yemen To Open Diplomatic Office in Somaliland". UNPO. 19 February 2010.
  78. ^ "Yemen and Puntland to further cooperation". Garoweonline.com. 12 October 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
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