MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government has reiterated its commitment to preserving national unity and territorial integrity, with senior officials stating that the Somali National Army is ready to operate across all parts of the country, including the northern cities of Hargeisa and Berbera.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Somalia’s Ambassador to the African Union, Abdullahi Warfaa, said the federal government considers Somaliland an inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and remains committed to upholding national sovereignty.
Warfaa said the Somali armed forces are prepared to fulfill their constitutional duties anywhere within the country’s internationally recognized borders.
He emphasized that the government’s main priority is to safeguard national unity, strengthen state institutions, and ensure all regions remain connected under a single sovereign state.
The ambassador noted that the federal government continues to view Somaliland as part of Somalia despite its 1991 declaration of independence following the collapse of the central government.
Somaliland has since established its own governing institutions, security forces, currency, and administrative systems, operating independently from Mogadishu for more than three decades.
However, no country has formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state, and Somalia’s federal authorities have consistently maintained that it remains part of the nation.
Warfaa said Mogadishu remains committed to resolving political differences through dialogue and negotiation rather than confrontation.
He added that the government believes constructive engagement is the most effective path toward long-term stability and national reconciliation.
The ambassador stressed that preserving Somalia’s territorial integrity remains a core principle of both domestic and foreign policy.
He said efforts to strengthen national institutions are intended to benefit all Somali citizens regardless of region or political affiliation.
Warfaa argued that a united Somalia would be better positioned to address security challenges, promote economic development, and enhance regional cooperation.
The remarks come amid renewed political debate over Somalia’s future constitutional arrangements and relations between Mogadishu and Hargeisa.
Observers say disagreements over sovereignty and governance continue to complicate efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement between the two sides.
Relations between Somalia and Somaliland have alternated between dialogue and tension over the years, with several rounds of talks producing limited progress.
Regional and international partners have repeatedly called for continued engagement to reduce tensions and build mutual trust.
The issue remains one of the most sensitive political questions in the Horn of Africa, with implications for security, governance, and regional stability.
As discussions continue, the federal government has reaffirmed that it will defend what it describes as the unity and indivisibility of the Somali state.
Neither Somaliland authorities nor officials in Hargeisa immediately responded to the ambassador’s remarks, which are expected to draw attention across the region and among international observers.
