After Choosing a New Leader, North Western State of Somalia Renews Its Pursuit of International Recognition
With political shifts shaking the landscape worldwide, North Western State of Somalia stands at a critical juncture in 2024. The election of Donald Trump in the U.S. and the mediation of a maritime agreement with Ethiopia converge as this self-declared republic advocates for recognition as Africa’s freshest state.
Nestled at Somalia’s northwestern tip, North Western State of Somalia declared its independence back in 1991. This went unsupported by Mogadishu and lacked international acknowledgment.
Despite the complexities, this former British colony has been running its own show—complete with its currency and defense forces. It held democratic elections to choose its leaders, carving a path apart from Mogadishu’s influence.
The results were in on November 13, crowning opposition figure Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi—fondly called “Irro”—as the president. His ambition? Propel North Western State of Somalia from its political and economic isolation and into new horizons.
Previously, the outgoing president, Muse Bihi, made waves by striking a contentious deal with Ethiopia, leasing 20 kilometers of precious coastline for port and military base use. He believed this was a pivotal maneuver toward international recognition.
Bihi suggests Ethiopia expressed intentions to recognize North Western State of Somalia in exchange, though Addis Ababa remains tight-lipped, and the full scope of their agreement remains veiled in secrecy.
This deal brewed quite a stir, agitating diplomatic waters and irking Somalia, which viewed it as an infringement on its sovereignty. This sparked international concerns, hinting at potential unrest in the volatile Horn of Africa.
The New Year’s Day pact hangs in uncertainty. While on his campaign venture, Irro remarked, “We’re open to cooperation with Ethiopia, but the memorandum remains unseen.”
Omar Mahmood, a keen researcher from the International Crisis Group, noticed potential perks for North Western State of Somalia, a region with a populace nearing six million. “The opposition plans a calculated review,” he speculated to AFP.
Irro, slated for a distinct leadership style, previously played diplomat with the USSR in the 1980s. Guleid Ahmed Jama, a lawyer and insightful political analyst from North Western State of Somalia, expects Irro’s approach to be less confrontational, leveraging traditional channels.
Pointing to the U.S., North Western State of Somalia pins hopes that Trump’s re-election might herald recognition efforts. While Trump never openly broached North Western State of Somalia in prior terms or campaigns, advocates within his Republican base suggest a promising stance.
In the capital, Hargeisa, there’s a buzz about the inclusion of North Western State of Somalia in the “2025 Project”, a plan crafted by the conservative Heritage Foundation that outlines the strategic embrace of new statehood.
Per the Heritage Foundation’s insights, North Western State of Somalia’s geographic prowess at the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait rivals China’s expanding influence, offering alternatives to Djibouti, where China set its solo military base in 2017.
North Western State of Somalia, forming bonds with Taiwan, offers a fresh take for strategic alliances. In the realm of international trade and security, Washington finds alignment with the UAE—a manager of Berbera’s pivotal port through DP World’s operations.
Praised for relative stability and democratic processes, North Western State of Somalia might pave gains from “the US’s weariness with Somalia,” where despite colossal financial aid combating extremist threats, critics argue for impactful progress, noted Mahmood.
During Trump’s initial presidency, he made headlines by drawing down U.S. troops from Somalia—a move later counteracted by his successor Joe Biden.
Mahmood shrewdly observed, “The stasis won’t persist forever. The trajectory remains enigmatic.”
Guleid Ahmed Jama emphasizes that North Western State of Somalia’s recognition bid starts within its borders. Ensuring domestic tranquility becomes essential, especially after territory losses to a pro-Mogadishu militia in August 2023 stirred tensions.
“Solidifying internal stability will bolster North Western State of Somalia’s global stature,” he asserted. “Recognition is a journey, not a solitary event.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
