By HAN News Desk
DJIBOUTI – Djibouti has reportedly severed diplomatic relations with Somaliland amid rising tensions over the region’s push for international recognition and its ongoing disputes with Somalia, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The move by President Ismail Omar Guelleh’s government comes amid growing frustration over Somaliland’s political and diplomatic initiatives, particularly agreements and statements perceived as challenging regional stability. Diplomatic sources indicate that communication channels between Djibouti and Hargeisa have effectively been frozen, marking a serious deterioration in relations between the two neighbors.
Officials close to the Djiboutian presidency say the decision reflects Guelleh’s dissatisfaction with Somaliland’s leadership and its approach to pursuing recognition independently, outside of coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia. Analysts note that this is part of broader regional sensitivities, as countries in the Horn of Africa navigate a complex balance between supporting Somali unity and engaging with Somaliland’s autonomous institutions.
The diplomatic fallout reportedly follows a series of tense exchanges over airspace management, regional security cooperation, and Somaliland’s independent diplomatic outreach to international actors. Some observers warn that the break may also affect trade, transport, and cross-border movement between Djibouti and Somaliland, both of which rely heavily on commercial links through ports and logistics networks.
Analysts say the rift could have wider implications for the Horn of Africa, where Djibouti has historically played a mediating role between Somalia, Somaliland, and other regional stakeholders. The decision comes as Somaliland’s relations with Mogadishu remain strained, particularly over airspace control and the Somali E-visa system, which has been a source of tension with international carriers and neighboring states.
President Guelleh is reported to have taken a firm stance, insisting that Djibouti will not support any unilateral attempts by Somaliland to secure international recognition outside the framework of dialogue with the Federal Government of Somalia.
Observers warn that the deterioration in ties may further isolate Somaliland diplomatically, even as it continues to pursue formal recognition from the international community. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, operates autonomously with its own government and institutions but remains unrecognised internationally. Djibouti, a key ally of both Mogadishu and Western powers, has historically maintained cautious engagement with Hargeisa, balancing relationships across the Horn of Africa’s volatile political landscape.
