State and regional bodies
Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, based in Hargeisa, runs Somaliland's search for international recognition and its offices abroad. Abdirahman Dahir Adan has been minister since 14 December 2024. In December 2025 Israel became the first UN member state to recognise Somaliland; Somalia's government rejects this and considers Somaliland part of Somalia.
What it does
The ministry handles Somaliland's relations with other governments and international bodies, and its missions and representative offices abroad (Wikipedia). Its central aim since 1991 has been recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991; Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory and opposes its recognition (Dawan Africa, 3 October 2026).
Who leads it
| Office | Person | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minister | Abdirahman Dahir Adan (also written Adam Bakal), since 14 December 2024 | Wikipedia |
| Deputy minister | Roda Jama Elmi | Wikipedia |
Earlier ministers include Dr Essa Kayd Mohamoud (Somaliland Current). The full list is on foreign ministers of Somaliland; Somaliland's presidents are on presidents of Somaliland.
Recognition by Israel
On 26 December 2025 Israel formally recognised Somaliland's independence. Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar visited Hargeisa in January 2026, the first visit by an Israeli foreign minister in 34 years, and was received by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) (Somaliland Standard). Somalia's foreign ministry issued a joint statement calling the visit illegal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia). The reactions of other governments and bodies are on Somalia and Israel.
Its statements in 2026
On 3 October 2026 the ministry answered remarks by Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in an interview with Al Jazeera. It said (Dawan Africa, 3 October 2026):
- that Somalia had no authority to decide Somaliland's diplomatic relations;
- that Somaliland became independent on 26 June 1960, before Somalia on 1 July 1960, and that its withdrawal from the union on 18 May 1991 reaffirmed its statehood;
- that its ties with Israel are based on cooperation, development and regional stability, and it rejected claims that Berbera could be used to launch attacks on other countries;
- that it supports Ethiopia's access to the sea and rejects interference in the 2024 memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
Earlier in 2026 the ministry denied reports of foreign forces in the Awdal region (Buraopost).
Related pages
Somaliland's institutions, Somaliland 1991 to 2026, Somalia and Ethiopia and the federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sources
- Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org
- Dawan Africa, 3 October 2026 · dawan.africa
- Somaliland Current · somalilandcurrent.com
- Somaliland Standard · somalilandstandard.com
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia · web.mfa.gov.so
- Buraopost · bbndailynews.blogspot.com
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Where this matters
- Hargeysa (Hargeisa) and Woqooyi GalbeedWoqooyi Galbeed is the north-western region that holds Hargeisa (Hargeysa) and the port of Berbera, with about 1 to 1.45 million people.
- Burco (Burao) and TogdheerTogdheer is the northern region around Burco (Burao), with about 894,874 people including Buuhoodle.
- Laascaanood (Las Anod) and SoolSool is a region in the north with Las Anod (Laascaanood) as its capital and about 571,000 people.
- Ceerigaabo (Erigavo) and SanaagSanaag is a region on the northern coast with Erigavo (Ceerigaabo) as its capital and about 446,000 people.
Same era
- Australia18,401 people of Somali ancestry and 8,101 born in Somalia lived in Australia at the 2021 Census, more than half in Victoria. History, work, issues.
- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
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