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#Op_ed: Self-Determination for Some, Denied for Others: #Somaliland and politics of selective recognition In this op-ed, Dagnachew Ayenew argues that #Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in late 2025 has laid bare profound hypocrisies in global diplomacy, demonstrating that self-determination operates “less as a legal norm and more as a political instrument.” He points to the swift backlash from a bloc of 21 states—including #Somalia and #Eritrea—as evidence of what he describes as “a selective application of international law.” Dagnachew further contends that “self-determination is celebrated in rhetoric, constrained in practice, and granted only when power allows.” He emphasizes that, until the international community prioritizes intellectual honesty over geopolitical convenience, populations in contested territories will remain in a “waiting room with no clear rules for entry.” https://addisstandard.com/?p=54498

News: #Somaliland rejects #Somalia’s claims over its diplomatic engagement with #Israel The government of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland has rejected what it described as “misleading claims” by the Federal Government of Somalia regarding its diplomatic engagement with Israel, insisting that its foreign relations are a matter of sovereign authority. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Somaliland said the assertions by Mogadishu are “unfounded in law, inaccurate in history, and lack factual basis,” dismissing Somalia’s position as having no legal standing to comment on or interfere in its bilateral relations. The statement reiterated Somaliland’s longstanding claim to sovereignty, noting that it attained independence on 26 June 1960 and was recognized internationally prior to its union with Somalia later that year. It argued that its sovereignty “neither originated from, nor is contingent upon, any authority in Mogadishu.” Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=56529

#China's top diplomat postpones visit to #Somalia, arrives in Tanzania China's top diplomat postponed what would have been a historic visit to Somalia, part of a tour of #Africa aimed at bolstering strategic trade, the East African nation's foreign affairs ministry said on Friday. #Wang Yi's planned visit would have been the first by a Chinese foreign minister since the 1980s. It had been expected to provide #Mogadishu with a diplomatic boost after #Israel became the first country to formally recognise the breakaway Republic of #Somaliland, a northern region that declared its independence in 1991. Somalia's relations with the U.S. are also at a low point after Washington said this week it would pause further assistance that benefits the government over a dispute about the demolition of a World Food Programme warehouse. Somali foreign affairs ministry officials told Reuters that the reason for the..... https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-top-diplomat-wang-yi-postpones-visit-somalia-2026-01-09/

News: #China FM rejects Somaliland–Taiwan “Collusion,” reaffirms #Somalia’s sovereignty in call with Somali FM China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated Beijing’s opposition to what it described as attempts by “#Somaliland” to collude with #Taiwan authorities, reaffirming China’s longstanding support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The remarks were made during a phone conversation on Sunday between Wang and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Dhaay, held amid Wang’s ongoing African tour, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. During the call, Wang said China remains committed to a friendly policy toward Somalia and will continue to deepen cooperation across economic, security, and defense sectors, regardless of changes in the international environment. He also emphasized #Beijing’s opposition to separatism, reiterating that.... Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54490

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey would never want to see new conflict in the Horn of Africa, emphasizing the need for stability and encouraging countries in the region to address challenges through cooperation and dialogue. Erdoğan emphasized respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, cautioning against external geopolitical competition in the Horn. He reiterated #Ankara’s position that potential recognition of #Somaliland by #Israel would not contribute positively to regional stability. He also welcomed diplomatic engagement between #Ethiopia and #Somalia, noting Turkey’s mediation efforts aimed at easing tensions. https://addisstandard.com/?p=55223

#Ethiopia, #Eritrea, #Somalia, #Sudan, and South Sudan among 75 countries affected by US visa processing freeze The United States has paused immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, as part of a move by the State Department to reassess screening and vetting procedures, according to an internal memo. The internal State Department memo, first reported by Fox News, instructs US consular officers to refuse visas under existing law while the department conducts a review aimed at cracking down on applicants deemed likely to become a “public charge.”According to the memo, the pause will take effect on 21 January and will continue indefinitely until the reassessment of immigrant visa processing is completed. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AR84A3eAz/

#Op_ed: Map Catches Up to Reality: Why #Israel chose #Somaliland’s sovereignty over #Somalia’s dependency In his op-ed, Hamse A. Khaire argues Israel’s recognition of Somaliland marks a shift from diplomatic convention to geopolitical realism, exposing the paradox: “Somalia enjoys recognition without sovereignty, while Somaliland exercises sovereignty without recognition.” He explains that while Somalia has become a #Turkish client state, where sovereignty is hollow “when a foreign power controls your air and sea gateways,” Somaliland has governed independently since 1991, maintaining security, institutions, and elections. Khaire emphasizes that Somaliland represents everything Somalia is not: “functioning institutions, genuine security, and independence from Turkish tutelage.” https://addisstandard.com/?p=54646

#Somaliland appoints envoy to #Israel despite global criticism over recognition Despite mounting international criticism following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December, President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro has appointed an ambassador to #Tel_Aviv. Mohamed Omar Haji Mohamoud was named Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel according to a presidential decree. The self-declared Republic of Somaliland, still internationally recognized as part of #Somalia, has yet to receive an official public response from #Mogadishu regarding the appointment. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in the early 1990s and operates with the hallmarks of statehood, including its own currency, parliament, military, and regular democratic elections. Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state, prompting strong objections from Somalia, which... https://trendsnafrica.com/somaliland-appoints-envoy-to-israel-despite-global-criticism-over-recognition/?amp=1

Pirates hijack oil tanker off the coast of #Somalia Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast, according to multiple security officials who spoke to the BBC. The ship, Honor 25, was overrun late on Wednesday by six gunmen, when it was approximately 30 nautical miles (55 kms) offshore, the officials said. Until three years ago piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback with fishing trawlers or container ships targeted. The seizure of a tanker headed for the Somali capital, Mogadishu, is likely to increase anxiety in the city where petrol prices have already tripled since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran. It was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil, security officials from Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region told the BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78l26yn981o

#Opinion: The #Somaliland Paradox: Why the world can no longer afford to ignore #Africa’s most successful state For over three decades, Somaliland has met every criterion of statehood—defined borders, functioning institutions, a civically engaged population, and foreign relations—yet remained largely unrecognized. Adam Daud Ahmed argues this reflects an international system where “strategic inertia, rigid diplomatic conventions, and the sensitivities of authoritarian regimes” outweigh effective governance. He explains that, legally, Somaliland is not a secessionist entity but a previously independent state reasserting sovereignty suspended in 1960. After #Somalia’s 1991 collapse, it restored independence through local reconciliation, a hybrid political system, and peaceful elections. https://addisstandard.com/?p=54685