By Horn Africa News
ANKARA – Kani Torun, a diplomat and former Turkish ambassador to Somalia, has cautioned against recognizing Somaliland, arguing that there is no legal basis for granting statehood to the breakaway region, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991.
Torun clearly underscored that the differences between Somalia and Somaliland are not fundamental, saying they revolve mainly around clan dynamics and the federal system—issues he believes can be resolved through compromise and by embracing their shared religion, language, and cultural identity.
“The independence of Somaliland makes little sense when viewed through nationality, religion, sect, and language. Somaliland and the rest of Somalia are not different in these aspects. The only distinction is clan and federalism, which can work across the whole of Somalia. If every clan in Africa were granted its own state, the continent would end up with more than 500 countries,” Torun said.
However, the former ambassador emphasized that the Federal Government of Somalia must first resolve its security challenges in order to gain full political credibility and ensure lasting peace after more than three decades of conflict. He pointed in particular to the ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab, which continues to undermine stability.
“The real problem in the Somalia-Somaliland issue lies in Mogadishu. If Mogadishu can resolve the political and security crises affecting the regions, Somaliland would not have strong grounds to push for independence. Blaming Somaliland alone will not help; we must focus on strengthening governance in Mogadishu,” Torun argued.
His comments echo those of former U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Larry Andre, who recently warned that rushing to recognize Somaliland could fuel greater instability. Andre, however, suggested that Washington could consider opening a consulate in Hargeisa to provide diplomatic services without granting full recognition.
