Abdi Daud's Blog on Somaliland Foreign Affairs

Somaliland is not waiting to become real. It is waiting for others to stop pretending.

As the cultural ambassador for Australian Somaliland community, I provide foreign-affairs analysis without diplomatic fog: Somaliland recognition, power, statehood, and the choices that shape the Horn. I have written for ASPI, Australian Outlook, and other strategy platforms.

Track record: the MoU with Ethiopia, the Somaliland constitutional crisis, Israel recognition, and the US partnership were argued here before they became realities.

Foreign Affairs Analysis

42. Somalilands Doormat Diplomacy And The Awakening That Could Save Us

42. Somalilands Doormat Diplomacy And The Awakening That Could Save Us

In recent months, Somaliland's new president Irro has embarked on highly publicised visits to Djibouti, Kenya, and most recently Qatar. But instead of reinforcing Somaliland's hard-earned sovereignty, these trips have exposed a dangerous shift in our foreign policy - a shift toward what can only be described as doormat diplomacy. In contrast to previous realism-driven strategies, Irro's administration appears willing to forfeit dignity, leverage, and strategic clarity for symbolic niceties and hollow promises.

Somaliland
41. Somaliland The Rise And Fall Of Doormat Diplomacy

41. Somaliland The Rise And Fall Of Doormat Diplomacy

In recent weeks, Somaliland's new president Muse Bihi's successor, Irro, has embarked on highly publicised visits to Djibouti and Kenya. But instead of reinforcing Somaliland's hard-earned sovereignty, these trips have exposed a dangerous shift in our foreign policy - a shift toward what can only be described as doormat diplomacy. In contrast to Bihi's realism-driven strategy, Irro's administration appears willing to forfeit dignity, leverage, and strategic clarity for symbolic niceties and hollow promises.

Somaliland
29. Normalise Somalilands Recognition

29. Normalise Somalilands Recognition

Since its liberation in 1991 after a brutal struggle, Somaliland has showcased remarkable self-reliance, democracy, and peace in a region typically marked by turmoil. Its unique history lays a solid foundation for its legally uninterrupted independence, offering a beacon of hope in the Horn of Africa. This region is in desperate need of a role model, and the question arises: while not perfect, why does the world deny it when such a role model has been stable for over three decades?

Somaliland
28. Crisis Group Itself Is In Crisis ??????

28. Crisis Group Itself Is In Crisis ??????

Dear Crisis Group In your recent episode “Ethiopia’s Push for Sea Access” with Christopher Clapham, you have proclaimed Without presenting any evidence, that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland And Ethiopia will not proceed. This prompts the question: why didn't you host the numerous international relations experts who were either neutral or supportive of the MoU? Furthermore, Somaliland's status, a core issue needing resolution, was not even addressed in your discussion.

Somaliland
27. The Somaliland Ethiopia Mou A New Era In The Horn Of Africa

27. The Somaliland Ethiopia Mou A New Era In The Horn Of Africa

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the United States have been presenting a misleading narrative to the international community, implying that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia might intensify Al-Shabab's activities. Indeed, it could be argued that Somalia would be better positioned to focus on the formidable task of combating terrorism if it ended its delusion of ruling Somaliland in any real sense.

Somaliland
26. The New Faqash A Critical Look At Somalias Political Choices With Somaliland

26. The New Faqash A Critical Look At Somalias Political Choices With Somaliland

After the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia, the remnants of the Faqash regime appear to ignore the lessons of Somalia’s collapse under Siyad Barre. His genocidal targeting of Somaliland not only devastated the region but also contributed to Somalia’s status as a failed state. This chapter in history clearly illustrates the dangers of such reckless actions.

Somaliland
16. Somaliland Recognition 2022 2027

16. Somaliland Recognition 2022 2027

From now and until 2027, forget about something called Somaliland Recognition. That's why I've closed my Twitter account and I am in the process of leaving several Somaliland groups and organisations. I didn't want to share this publicly, but I owe friends some explanation. The close ones know that I have been aiming to quit for some time. So this has nothing to do with any argument with someone but everything to do with Somaliland's foreign policy both from government and opposition.

Somaliland
15. Somaliland Partnership Act & The Solomon Islands

15. Somaliland Partnership Act & The Solomon Islands

Before highlighting the interests of the United States in a fully recognised Somaliland, there are benefits that Somaliland will continue to guarantee even without any recognition. These include the fight against piracy, anti-terrorism and being a progressive democracy. Often criticised for being a "peacocracy", Somaliland people and government will protect their interior and external peace. Their homegrown democracy stems from their pastoral roots, and that is unlike to change with or without recognition because democracy enables the competing parties to transfer power fairly and peacefully. This ensures that, unlike Somalia, Somaliland will continue to be a reliable partner in the region without causing headaches in keeping the security and peace in the volatile region of the horn of Africa.

Somaliland
6. Preferential Voting To Fix Somaliland Elections

6. Preferential Voting To Fix Somaliland Elections

In the era of late Somaliland President Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, Somalilanders have adopted a constitution that limits the number of political parties to three. This was a lesson learned from the 1969 elections in the Somali republic when 64 parties contested in the elections. These parties were proxies for sub-clans who wanted representation. No one offered political choices based on ideology and policies.

Somaliland Politics