MOGADISHU — A representative linked to Somaliland administration was barred from participating in a major defence conference in Greece after objections tied to Somalia’s sovereignty, according to officials and accounts from attendees.
Greek authorities removed Dr Mohamed Haji, a Somaliland representative, from the participant list of the Athens Defence Summit following diplomatic protests over his planned appearance at the event, Somali sources said Wednesday.
Haji had initially been scheduled to join a panel discussion on regional security and defence cooperation alongside the former chief of Kenya’s defence forces and a senior Zambian military adviser.
But when the session was due to begin, conference security and protocol officials prevented him from entering the hall or taking part in the discussion, attendees said.
The incident marked the second apparent setback for Somaliland at the conference after the territory’s defence minister was also removed from the summit’s official website and participant roster before the event began.
Somalia’s federal government considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory and strongly opposes any international engagement that could be interpreted as recognition of the breakaway region.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government, and has since maintained its own government, currency, security forces and electoral institutions. However, it has not gained broad international recognition.
Ahead of the summit, Haji had publicly announced on X that he was travelling to Athens to participate in the conference, saying Somaliland’s presence reflected its “growing role in international security and strategic dialogue.”
The Athens Defence Summit brings together military officials, diplomats and security experts from several countries to discuss defence cooperation, regional stability and geopolitical challenges.
Neither Haji nor Somaliland’s defence minister ultimately addressed the gathering.
The incident comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions surrounding Somaliland’s international outreach efforts. Somalia has intensified efforts in recent months to oppose moves it sees as undermining the country’s territorial integrity.
The dispute over Somaliland’s status has also drawn increasing international attention after Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state in December 2025, becoming the first U.N. member state to do so.
Mogadishu condemned the recognition and accused Somaliland authorities of pursuing unilateral actions that threaten regional stability and Somalia’s sovereignty.
The African Union and the United Nations have repeatedly urged dialogue between Mogadishu and Somaliland without formally recognizing Somaliland’s independence.
