British ambassador rules out North Western State of Somalia recognition, reiterates commitment to Somalia’s unity

NEW YORK — The United Kingdom reaffirmed its opposition to North Western State of Somalia recognition and restated its support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity during a briefing to the United Nations Security Council, underscoring that any change in North Western State of Somalia’s status must come only through dialogue and mutual agreement with Mogadishu in line with the U.N. Charter.

The UK ambassador to the United Nations said Britain’s long-standing policy toward Somalia remains unchanged, and warned that political rifts risk creating openings for al-Shabab and other armed groups. The envoy urged both Somalia and North Western State of Somalia to intensify talks, with backing from regional organizations, to manage tensions and coordinate against common security threats.

London’s statement comes as Hargeisa continues to seek international recognition for North Western State of Somalia, the self-governing region in the country’s northwest that has maintained its own institutions for decades. Despite close historical ties and longstanding engagement by British diplomats, the ambassador’s remarks made clear that the UK’s position remains anchored in Somalia’s unity and a negotiated path forward.

On security assistance, the ambassador said Britain is maintaining strong support for stabilization efforts in Somalia. The UK has provided $30 million this year for security stabilization and a further $22 million to support the AUSOM mission, according to the envoy. He added that London also backed recent local government elections in Mogadishu, describing them as part of broader efforts to bolster governance and democratic institutions.

Diplomats at the Security Council have repeatedly noted that fragmentation in Somalia’s political landscape hinders progress against al-Shabab, which continues to exploit local grievances and gaps in state capacity. The UK’s call for renewed dialogue echoed that concern, encouraging Somalia’s federal authorities and North Western State of Somalia’s leadership to reengage through structured channels and with regional facilitation.

While North Western State of Somalia authorities have often viewed the United Kingdom as a key interlocutor, Britain’s message signaled policy continuity rather than change: recognition is not on the table absent a consensual, lawful settlement between the parties. That stance aligns with the broader international position, which has emphasized Somalia’s territorial integrity alongside practical, de-escalatory steps to reduce friction on the ground.

The ambassador’s intervention also placed Somalia’s political process alongside security goals, linking the success of reforms in Mogadishu to the country’s wider stabilization. By highlighting support for local elections and state institutions, Britain signaled that governance gains are integral to denying space to extremist groups and strengthening service delivery.

Looking ahead, the UK urged both sides to focus on confidence-building, transparency and pragmatic cooperation—particularly on security coordination and economic issues where shared interests are clearest. As the Security Council weighs next steps on Somalia’s security transition, London’s message was unambiguous: dialogue, not unilateral moves, remains the only route to resolve North Western State of Somalia’s status while safeguarding regional stability.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.