HARGEISA — Somaliland politician Ali Koryoley has expressed support for the Gadabuursi community while making strong allegations against Djibouti and the Issa clan, describing them as opponents of Somaliland.
Koryoley made the remarks while discussing political and social relations involving Somaliland, Djibouti and communities living in the western parts of Somaliland and neighbouring areas.
“Djibouti and the Issa are enemies of Somaliland,” Koryoley said. He added that “as Habar Awal, we support Gadabuursi,” signalling what he described as solidarity between the two communities.
The comments come against the backdrop of longstanding political sensitivities in the Horn of Africa, where territorial issues, clan relationships, cross-border communities and competing political interests often overlap.
The Gadabuursi community is predominantly based in Somaliland’s Awdal region, which borders Djibouti and Ethiopia. The area has strategic importance because of its location along major regional trade and transport routes.
Djibouti, meanwhile, has maintained close political, economic and security relations with Somalia and has frequently been involved in regional diplomatic initiatives. The country has also hosted talks aimed at resolving political disputes in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.
Somaliland has governed itself separately from Somalia since declaring its independence in 1991 and continues to seek formal international recognition. Its relationship with neighbouring countries remains an important part of its foreign and regional policy.
Koryoley’s remarks could fuel further debate over political alliances and relations between communities in Somaliland and neighbouring Djibouti. They also come at a time when questions surrounding Awdal, Somaliland’s political future and relations with regional actors remain politically sensitive.
The politician did not provide detailed evidence in the remarks presented to substantiate his characterization of Djibouti and the Issa as “enemies” of Somaliland.
His comments should therefore be understood as political statements attributed to Koryoley, rather than as an official position representing the Somaliland administration, the Habar Awal community, the Gadabuursi community, Djibouti, the Issa community or the African Union.
