SOMALI PM CALLS ON SOMALILAND TO CUT ISRAEL TIES, URGES RECONCILIATION. (PHOTO).

 Somali PM calls on Somaliland to cut Israel ties, urges reconciliation

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has called on Somaliland’s leadership to cut ties with Israel and to resolve disputes with the federal government through dialogue.

Barre said relations among Somalis should be addressed through talks rather than confrontation, in remarks during a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the establishment of North East State.

In December 2025, Israel announced mutual recognition with Somaliland, a move strongly rejected by the Somali government as a breach of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and criticised by many countries across the world.

“Regarding our brothers in Somaliland, I have nothing new to say. I repeat what we have always said: we call for Islam, brotherhood and Somali unity. These are the things that bind us together,” Barre said, TRT Afrika reported.

He added: “Whatever mistakes have occurred between us, we are prepared, together with the Somali people, particularly the people of North East State, to correct them through discussions at the table, meetings and peaceful dialogue without conflict.”

Stronger family ties

Barre’s visit underscored Mogadishu’s support for North East State and highlighted the federal government’s broader effort to reinforce its authority in Somalia’s northern regions, where Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity

The prime minister said disagreements among Somalis should not be allowed to deepen divisions, arguing that social and family ties between communities remained stronger than political differences.