Saturday June 28, 2025
Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed
Abdillahi Irro departed for Qatar on Saturday, marking the first-ever visit by the
breakaway region head of state to the Gulf nation.
The Somaliland presidency has not issued an official
statement regarding the trip, and the specific purpose of the visit remains
unclear. However, sources familiar with the matter suggest the trip may be
focused on economic cooperation and attracting investment, as President Irro
has recently sought to strengthen economic ties with Arab nations.
President Irro is accompanied by several high-ranking
officials, including the ministers of foreign affairs, interior, the
presidency, and religious affairs, as well as his special advisor on economic
affairs.
The visit comes as a surprise, given the lack of previous
formal relations between Somaliland and Qatar. Qatar has long maintained a
close alliance with the Federal Government of Somalia, which does not recognize
Somaliland's claim to independence.
The trip also marks a notable shift in Somaliland’s
historical alignment in Gulf politics. In 2017, during the Gulf diplomatic
crisis, Somaliland sided with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia,
backing sanctions imposed on Qatar over allegations of terrorism
financing—claims Qatar has consistently denied.
Qatar’s strong ties with Mogadishu may complicate the
possibility of formalizing diplomatic engagement with Hargeisa, particularly
amid ongoing tensions over Somaliland’s self-declared independence.