The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi, also known as Irro, stated that Somaliland has entered a new era focused on gaining international recognition. He emphasized that this goal has become a priority after successfully progressing from the stage of state-building and maintaining internal peace. In an interview with the Financial Times Newspaper in Hargeisa, he highlighted the efforts of the people and previous administrations in rebuilding the country. Since his election in 2024, he has continued the work of his predecessors, which aims to present the legal, political, and historical basis for Somaliland’s quest for international recognition. The lack of recognition for Somaliland has hindered its ability to fully exploit economic opportunities, particularly in the areas of trade and investment. This limitation has greatly impacted the country’s ability to engage in economic cooperation with other nations. The President reiterated that peace and stability in Somaliland were achieved through the efforts of its people. He mentioned that they held meetings under trees to reach peace settlements and end hostilities and conflicts. These efforts ultimately led to the creation of a constitution and governing agencies, followed by Somaliland reclaiming its independence from Somalia in 1991. The President also highlighted the fact that Somaliland has held free and fair consecutive elections, which is rare in Africa and demonstrates the maturity of its democracy.
