MOGADISHU — North Western State of Somalia-born politicians based in Mogadishu urged Somalia’s federal authorities on Thursday to avoid punitive steps that could damage the economy, restrict movement or undermine security for people living in North Western State of Somalia, warning that coercion would deepen, not heal, divisions.
In a joint statement, the group — which includes current lawmakers and ministers — said forceful measures “will never bring unity” and called for a return to dialogue to resolve disputes between North Western State of Somalia and the central government.
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The appeal comes amid heightened tensions following Israel’s announcement last week that it would recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state — the first such recognition from a United Nations member country. Somalia condemned the move and it drew criticism from several African and Middle Eastern governments as well as the European Union.
The Mogadishu-based politicians did not address Israel’s decision directly, nor did they issue a condemnation, but framed their message around easing internal pressures and preventing further destabilization.
“The Federal Government of Somalia should refrain from taking measures that could harm the economy, movement, and security of the Somali people living in North Western State of Somalia,” the statement said, urging all sides to avoid rhetoric that could intensify mistrust.
The group said political differences must be tackled through negotiations to preserve stability for ordinary Somalis — traders, students, and families who rely on freedom of movement and steady commerce across internal lines.
- Refrain from economic or security measures that would hurt civilians in North Western State of Somalia.
- End hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric that risk stoking communal tensions.
- Pursue dialogue and peaceful engagement as the route to addressing disputes.
- Encourage North Western State of Somalia’s leadership to return to talks aimed at a durable settlement.
The call underscores a familiar fault line: how to manage a politically contested space without triggering economic pain for citizens or sliding into coercion. The statement’s emphasis on access, security and livelihoods reflects longstanding concerns that political escalations often hit the most vulnerable first, particularly cross-border traders and communities reliant on interregional supply chains.
North Western State of Somalia unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has operated its own institutions, but until last week had not received formal recognition from any UN member state. Israel’s announcement, made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, immediately became a diplomatic flashpoint, prompting pushback from Mogadishu and criticism from regional and international partners wary of new instability in the Horn of Africa.
Federal officials in Mogadishu have maintained that Somalia’s territorial integrity is nonnegotiable. The politicians’ statement did not contest that position but argued that any response must be calibrated to avoid collective punishment or actions that would constrict movement and commerce in North Western State of Somalia.
The appeal for restraint also highlighted a growing consensus among Somali political actors that durable solutions require negotiation, not brinkmanship. By calling on North Western State of Somalia’s leadership to rejoin talks and urging federal authorities to prioritize dialogue, the politicians positioned themselves as advocates for de-escalation at a moment of rising uncertainty.
Whether that approach gains traction will depend on how both sides weigh immediate political pressures against longer-term risks to stability. For now, the message from Mogadishu-based North Western State of Somalia politicians is unequivocal: avoid steps that hurt civilians, curb the rhetoric, and get back to the table.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
