Somalia’s president proposes talks with North Western State of Somalia, rejects secession outright

Somali president offers talks with North Western State of Somalia but rules out secession

LAS ANOD, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday reaffirmed that the country’s territorial unity is not open to negotiation, saying the federal government is ready for dialogue with all Somali parties but will not entertain discussions on secession.

Speaking at the inauguration of the leadership of a newly established administration in the city of Las Anod, Mohamud said Mogadishu is prepared for “dialogue at all levels” with North Western State of Somalia’s leadership, while stressing that Somalia’s unity remains a red line.

• Mohamud said “all doors to dialogue are open, except the door of Somalia’s unity.”
• He offered to facilitate a prisoner exchange between North Western State of Somalia and the North Eastern State administration.
• He warned against foreign interference and criticized Israel’s reported decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia.

“All doors to dialogue are open, except the door of Somalia’s unity,” the president said. “Somalia is one country recognized by the international community, and all Somalis belong to it.”

In a bid to build confidence between rival authorities, Mohamud announced the federal government is willing to mediate and facilitate a prisoner exchange between North Western State of Somalia and the North Eastern State administration, urging both sides to release detainees as an initial step toward reconciliation.

The president coupled his outreach with a warning over external involvement in Somali affairs, issuing pointed remarks about Israel’s reported move to recognize North Western State of Somalia. “Mogadishu will never allow Israel to establish a base or any presence on Somali territory or in the Horn of Africa,” he said, adding that there is “no space for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expansionist agenda among the Somali people.”

Mohamud said Somalia has rejected Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia both domestically and internationally, and he called on North Western State of Somalia’s leaders to abandon what he described as a futile pursuit of international recognition.

“Do not waste your time trying to create a new country,” he said. “Come and help lead Somalia. We are ready to discuss a better future—one that ensures past injustices are not repeated—but that future can only be achieved through unity, dialogue and compromise.”

The president’s remarks aimed to project a dual track of openness and resolve: offering negotiations “at all levels” while making clear that Somalia’s borders and sovereignty are not up for discussion. From Las Anod, his message was calibrated both to Somali factions and to foreign capitals—welcoming talks under a single Somali framework and rejecting any moves he characterized as interference.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.