‘WE ARE A STATE’: Somaliland Secures FIRST True Recognition After 30 Years Despite Arab Opposition

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After more than three decades of peaceful self-governance, constitutional order, and democratic practice, Somaliland has secured its first formal international recognition as a fully sovereign and independent state. The milestone confirms what many have long argued — that Somaliland already meets the legal, political, and institutional criteria for statehood under international law. President Abdirahman Irro welcomed the decision as a historic affirmation of Somaliland’s stability, identity, and democratic path, marking a new chapter for the Horn of Africa and global diplomacy.    #SomalilandRecognition #SomalilandStatehood #SovereignState #InternationalRecognition #HornOfAfrica #BreakingNews #GlobalDiplomacy #SomalilandNews #IndependentState #StatehoodRecognition #AfricaNews #SomalilandUpdates #AbdirahmanIrro #DemocraticGovernance #Somaliland

Transcript

00:00I am the happiest person in the world today. The historic address on the recognition of the

00:10Republic of Somaliland. Excellences, all world leaders, distinguished delegates,

00:18partners, all Somalilanders. Today, I address you at a moment of historic significance

00:26for the Republic of Somaliland. After more than three decades of peaceful self-governance,

00:33constitutional order, and democratic practice, Somaliland has received its fairest formal

00:40international recognition as a sovereign and independent state. This development of famous

00:46and objective reality that has long existed. Somaliland meets the legal, political, and institutional

00:54criteria of statehood under international law. I express my wholehearted appreciation to the

01:03State of Israel for its brave decision which reflects both historical continuity and confidence in

01:11Somaliland's administrative commitment to peace, stability, and responsible governance. Somaliland's

01:19journey has been divided, not by conflict, but by reconciliation, not by external intervention,

01:26but by indigenous peace building, and not by instability, but by sustained institutional

01:32development. Our people rebuild their state through dialogue, constitutional process, and rule of law.

01:40We give assurance that Somaliland's recognition is not directed against any state,

01:47nor that it imposes a threat to regional peace. On the contrary, clarity of its status contributes to

01:55its stability. Recognizing Somaliland, it strengthens its cooperation, enhances security,

02:02and supports its economic integration in the whole of Africa and the Red Sea region. Regarding Somalia,

02:10we confirm that the peoples of Somaliland and Somalia share the bonds of history, culture, faith, and economic

02:19interdependence. However, the shared ties do not require political unification under a single state.

02:28On the contrary, history has shown that the refuse trail of unity resulted in instability, injustice, and long-lasting

02:38harm. Somaliland has voluntarily joined the Somali Republic with its counterpart Somalia,

02:45but those arrangements have failed, and the name of Somali Republic is not anymore in the recent

02:51constitutions of neither Somaliland nor Somalia. The lesson of that experience is clear. The pursuit of a

02:59unity that no longer exists risk is prolonging deficient rather than healing it. So our people in Somaliland

03:08chose a different path which is grounded in peace, self-determination, and responsibility.

03:16The Republic of Somaliland therefore believes that the most constructive path forward lies

03:21in accepting political realities, avoiding zero-summed narratives, and focusing indeed on healing

03:29past wounds and advancing shared interests. As a sovereign neighbor, Somaliland and Somalia can

03:36operate more effectively in peace, trade, security, and regional development. To our regional partners,

03:44neighboring countries, and international community, we firmly assure you that recognition of

03:51Somaliland is not a threat, not an act of hostility, and not a source of regional tension. Somaliland has

03:59been and will continue to be a responsible and a constructive actor committed to peace, cooperation,

04:07and sharing development. To our partners in the Arab and Muslim world, we wish to state clearly that Somaliland is

04:15a Muslim nation deeply rooted in Islamic values of moderation, justice, and coexistence. Our foreign policy is

04:23guided by balance, respect, and adherence to international norms. Somaliland's repugnation

04:30does not represent alignment against an Islamic nation or community. Somaliland remains committed to

04:39peaceful coexistence, constructive diplomacy, and mutually respectful relations with all neighboring

04:47countries and UN members in accordance with the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity,

04:55and international law. To the United Nations, African Union, England member countries, the League of Arab

05:02States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Commonwealth, and international partners,

05:09will reaffirm that Somaliland's readiness to be admitted to a full membership in all international and

05:17regional organizations to fulfill the responsibilities that such membership entails. Somaliland

05:24respectively invites member states and international institutions of the above-mentioned organizations to

05:31engage with Somaliland because of facts, international law, and shared interests. This movement represents not an end,

05:41but a historical and a responsible beginning, guided by cooperation, regional integration,

05:48multilateralism, and shared commitment to peace. Thank you.

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