HARGEISA (SD) – Somaliland has strongly rejected the Federal Government of Somalia’s criticism of its diplomatic relations with Israel, defending its decision to appoint an ambassador to Tel Aviv.

In a statement, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed Mogadishu’s claims as legally baseless and historically inaccurate, asserting that Somaliland is an independent state that gained sovereignty on June 26, 1960, and does not derive its authority from Somalia.

The government argued that the Federal Government, led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has no legal mandate to interfere in Somaliland’s foreign relations, describing such matters as sovereign rights exclusively belonging to Somaliland.

Hargeisa also challenged the concept of Somalia’s territorial unity, stating that the 1960 union lacked a solid legal foundation and that Somaliland reasserted its independence in 1991, maintaining control over its territory and governance since then.

The statement further highlighted Somaliland’s record in building democratic institutions, maintaining security, and contributing to regional stability, while contrasting this with Somalia’s continued reliance on external support.

The exchange underscores escalating diplomatic tensions between Somaliland and Somalia, particularly following Israel’s recognition and ambassadorial engagement. Somaliland is reinforcing its sovereignty narrative, while Somalia is clinging to an imaginative territorial integrity. This dispute reflects a broader geopolitical shift, where external recognition is intensifying the long-standing political legitimacy between the two sides.