Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has strongly criticized the UK’s Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, for comments that referred to Somalia and the self-declared region of Somaliland as separate entities.
The remarks, made by the ambassador in connection with the activities of a humanitarian organization, have sparked a diplomatic row, with Somalia’s government viewing them as a direct challenge to the country’s sovereignty and unity.
In a brief remark on Friday, Minister Fiqi condemned the ambassador’s use of the terms “Somalia” and “Somaliland” in a way that suggested they were distinct entities. “The fragmentation of a unified entity and its reclassification under two distinct names is utterly unacceptable and constitutes a blatant attack on the sovereignty and unity of Somalia,” Fiqi stated. He further emphasized that the Somali government views any such language as an attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of the nation.
Somaliland, a region in northern Somalia, declared independence from the rest of the country in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. However, it has not been recognized as a sovereign state by any country, including the United Kingdom, and the issue of Somaliland’s status remains a sensitive topic in Somali politics.
Mustaqbal
