HARGEISA – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) has called on the people of Somaliland to safeguard peace, unity, and national cohesion, describing the country’s recent international recognition as a historic milestone that must now be reinforced through continued diplomacy and internal solidarity.

Speaking to the public, President Irro said Somaliland’s recognition is the result of nearly 35 years of sustained efforts by successive governments and its people, but stressed that the achievement marks the beginning of a new diplomatic phase rather than the end of the journey.

“We have sought recognition for 35 years. Today we have achieved it, but we must protect it and continue working to secure further recognition. By standing together at home and abroad, preserving peace and strengthening our unity, we can achieve even more,” President Irro said.

The President emphasized that maintaining security and political stability remains essential to building international confidence and attracting additional diplomatic support. He urged citizens to avoid actions that could undermine Somaliland’s reputation or weaken its international standing.

President Irro also acknowledged that political disagreements are a normal feature of democracy but said they should never overshadow Somaliland’s shared national objective of expanding international recognition. He called on political parties, business leaders, intellectuals, civil society, and the Somaliland diaspora to work together in promoting Somaliland’s case abroad.

His remarks come as Somaliland intensifies diplomatic efforts to encourage additional countries to follow Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, with Hargeisa seeking to translate that breakthrough into broader political, economic, and security partnerships.

Meanwhile, Somalia’s Federal Government has continued to oppose Somaliland’s diplomatic campaign, maintaining its position that Somaliland remains part of Somalia and reaffirming its commitment to defending Somalia’s territorial integrity.

President Irro’s message reflects a shift in Somaliland’s diplomatic strategy—from seeking initial recognition to consolidating and expanding it. Rather than portraying recognition as a final victory, the President framed it as the foundation for building wider international acceptance through sustained diplomacy and domestic stability.

His emphasis on unity also recognizes that Somaliland’s greatest diplomatic asset has long been its reputation for peaceful governance, democratic elections, and internal stability. By urging political rivals to separate domestic competition from national interests, Irro is attempting to present Somaliland as a politically mature and reliable partner to the international community.

The appeal to the diaspora, business community, and civil society suggests that Hargeisa intends to broaden its diplomatic campaign beyond government channels, recognizing that international recognition often depends on long-term political engagement, economic partnerships, and public diplomacy.

As regional geopolitical competition in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa continues to intensify, Somaliland’s leadership appears determined to capitalize on growing strategic interest in the territory. If Hargeisa can preserve internal stability while expanding diplomatic and economic ties, it believes additional recognition could become increasingly achievable despite continued opposition from Mogadishu.