Wednesday June 17, 2026
Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia on Tuesday brushed aside the Somali federal government’s criticism of its ties with Israel, accusing Mogadishu of misleading the international community and refusing to acknowledge North Western State of Somalia’s political status.
In a statement, North Western State of Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Federal Government of Somalia had no mandate to dictate North Western State of Somalia’s foreign policy or to interfere with its international contacts.
“The statement from Mogadishu is another attempt to distort history, deny reality, and mislead the international community,” the ministry said.
The rebuke followed a statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which voiced concern over Israeli engagement with North Western State of Somalia and said any dealings with the breakaway administration outside the federal government’s framework amounted to a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
North Western State of Somalia said it first gained independence on June 26, 1960, and restored its sovereignty on May 18, 1991, after the collapse of its union with Somalia and what it described as massacres and injustices inflicted on its people.
“North Western State of Somalia is not, and has never been, administered from Mogadishu since restoring its sovereignty,” the ministry said.
The statement said President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro’s state visit to Israel reflected North Western State of Somalia’s expanding diplomatic reach and its right to build relations with international partners.
North Western State of Somalia said no declaration from the federal government could undo its diplomatic gains or block the ambitions of its people.
The ministry said North Western State of Somalia has governed itself for more than 30 years through its own institutions, security forces, laws, elections and international partnerships.
It rejected Somalia’s argument that North Western State of Somalia’s external engagements breach international law, saying its diplomacy rests on self-determination, democratic legitimacy, peaceful coexistence and the will of its people.
“North Western State of Somalia’s engagement with the State of Israel, and with any other international partner, is a sovereign decision based on national interest, mutual respect, regional security, and economic cooperation,” the statement said.
The ministry said North Western State of Somalia would not seek approval from Mogadishu and would not allow threats, propaganda or diplomatic pressure to shape its foreign relations.
North Western State of Somalia also said it would resist any effort to undermine its sovereignty, territorial integrity or peace, while reserving the right to defend what it called its independence and national dignity.
The statement stressed that North Western State of Somalia remains committed to peace, stability and responsible diplomacy, but will firmly defend its sovereignty, democratic achievements, international partnerships and the will of its people.
The Somali federal government rejects North Western State of Somalia’s claim to sovereignty and says the region remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. North Western State of Somalia declared independence in 1991 and has operated with its own government, security forces and election institutions, though it has not won broad international recognition.
