Somaliland’s quest for international recognition has made significant

[Deeq A.]

Somaliland’s quest for international recognition has made significant strides over the years, with moments where major diplomatic breakthroughs appeared within reach. In 2003, South Africa was reportedly close to recognizing Somaliland following an official visit by President Dahir Rayale Kahin. However, the public reporting and celebration of this diplomatic engagement exposed South Africa to intense pressure from the African Union and regional actors, ultimately forcing Pretoria to backtrack from what could have been a historic step forward (Somaliland FM reported the case through the BBC).

A similar scenario unfolded in 2024, when Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia. While the agreement represented a bold step in regional cooperation, its premature disclosure triggered immediate backlash from neighboring states and international partners, stalling momentum before the MoU could be implemented effectively.

Most recently, the public announcement of the Somaliland President’s visit to Kenya once again drew diplomatic pressure. Following Somaliland’s declaration of the visit, Kenyan authorities faced regional backlash and responded by distancing themselves from the engagement and initiating actions against Somaliland’s diplomatic presence in Nairobi.

Another illustrative example is President Muse Bihi Abdi’s successful visit to the United States — a landmark diplomatic engagement that resulted in several positive developments, including planned joint U.S.-Somaliland military exercises in Berbera. However, the premature exposure of the trip, particularly ahead of President Bihi’s arrival, provided pressure groups and hostile actors the opportunity to organize themselves. This contributed to increased internal tensions and is widely believed to have played a role in the eruption of the Las Anod conflict.

These repeated experiences highlight a critical strategic lesson: while transparency and public diplomacy are important, timing and discretion are equally vital. Premature publicity surrounding sensitive diplomatic engagements has repeatedly undermined Somaliland’s opportunities for international recognition, regional cooperation, and internal stability. Going forward, Somaliland must adopt a more disciplined and strategic approach to foreign policy — one that balances openness with confidentiality to protect and advance our national interests.

Abdirashid Ibrahim Abdirahman

Qaran News