HARGEISA, (KAAB TV) – Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has addressed a recent interview he gave to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV regarding the long-standing dispute between Somalia and Somaliland over the latter’s quest for independence.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for civil servants in Hargeisa on Sunday, the president said the two unifying issues that the people of Somaliland share are their independence and their constitution.
“I want to clarify one thing to the people of Somaliland. Recently, I gave an interview to Al Arabiya TV, and they asked about the 99% of the Somaliland population that voted to break away from Somalia in 1991. I told them clearly that it was 99%, but they kept asking me repeatedly,” President Bihi explained.
“If that were not the case, we would not have survived the past 40 years,” he stated.
President Abdi emphasized the importance of Somaliland’s upcoming election in reinforcing the people’s desire for independence. “In the election coming, we want to make sure that our people vote in a show of proof for our nationhood,” he stated.
Somaliland’s election preparations have drawn considerable attention, with three candidates, including incumbent President Bihi, vying for the presidency.
The political climate in Somaliland is under scrutiny as regional tensions rise, particularly following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
The MoU has caused friction with Somalia, which perceives the agreement as a violation of its sovereignty. Mogadishu’s discontent has escalated geopolitical tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, as the latter appears to recognize Somaliland’s autonomy through such agreements.
Meanwhile, the international community, including the United Nations, is working to de-escalate the situation, as Somalia faces renewed security challenges.
The resurgence of pirate activity along the Somali coast and the alleged involvement of Yemeni-based Houthi militias in arming terrorist and pirate groups have heightened concerns about regional stability and maritime security.
Diplomatic efforts continue, but the situation remains delicate, with the Horn of Africa region facing a precarious balance between stability and escalating conflict.