Ali Omar, Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, has said Somaliland remains part of the country and that direct talks are underway to resolve the long-running dispute.
Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar has said Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia and that direct talks are underway to resolve the decades-long dispute.
Speaking to Doha News during Doha Forum 2025 on Saturday, Omar said: “We are very closely working with the administration in the Somaliland region. Somaliland is part of Somalia, and we do have direct communication with them, and we hope to have a resolution in due time.”
The Horn of Africa has once again captured international attention as longstanding tensions between Somalia and Somaliland persist, highlighting the geopolitical importance of the Gulf of Aden and the broader Red Sea corridor.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, remains unrecognised internationally, yet continues to maintain its own government and security forces.
Somalia’s federal government insists that Somaliland is an integral part of the Somali Republic and that talks with its administration are ongoing.
Omar framed these efforts within a historical perspective, noting that the strategic importance of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden has been recognised for more than a century.
“The Red Sea is seen as the invention of the Suez Canal. It was very, very important. If you look back to 1884, when Africa was divided, Somalia was divided into five because of the importance of that region. Somalia is on the Gulf of Aden, not on the Red Sea, but Gulf of Aden. And Gulf of Aden is the gate for Red Sea,” he said.
His remarks highlight Mogadishu’s insistence on the significance of historical boundaries and strategic maritime routes, which have shaped both colonial-era divisions and present-day security concerns.
Recent developments have further complicated the situation. In 2024, Somaliland signed a controversial agreement with Ethiopia, granting it leased access to a coastal corridor along the Gulf of Aden.
Somalia condemned the deal as a violation of its sovereignty and continues to seek support from regional organisations and international partners to challenge actions it says undermine its territorial integrity.
Despite these tensions, Omar stressed that dialogue remains the preferred path. “We hope to have a resolution in due time,” he said, adding that Somalia remains committed to a constructive and peaceful political process.
