“Somaliland has been a safe haven for refugees fleeing from neighbouring Somalia for the past three decades” Press Release
Below is a press release by Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:
“As a result of the unfortunate recent public remarks made by the Prime Minister of Somalia on matters pertaining to the sovereign responsibilities of the Republic of Somaliland, the Somaliland government feels compelled to provide a clarification.
The Prime Minister of Somalia chose to convey unfounded information and share baseless accusations on the issue of the Somaliland government’s legal and necessary decision to deport selected individuals, who had unlawfully settled in the district of Las Anod, the provincial capital of Sool Region, Somaliland.
Somaliland has been a safe haven for refugees fleeing from neighbouring Somalia for the past three decades. As consistent with Somaliland’s humanitarian obligations under international law and in relation to domestic constitutional and citizenship laws, the Somaliland government has overseen the protection and livelihood for all those who live within its borders.
It is important to emphasize that the decision to deport a selected number of individuals from Somaliland’s territory was motivated by issues pertaining to security, including appeals from the local communities and authorities in Las Anod district. Intelligence reports and consultations provided a clear indication that these individuals were putting the safety of the local population at risk. As such, the Somaliland government was compelled to take action, but only in a manner fully respecting the human rights of such parties—including those to food, water, temporary shelter—and without damage or loss to property or personhood.
The Somaliland Government maintains close and cooperative relations with all its neighbours, including over issues of migration and border control, which it conducts with all due adherence to international law. The Government, thus will not have its record be distorted by neighbouring Somalia whose inability to meet its own internal and external governance responsibilities has led it to lash out at others in order to distract the international community from its own deficiencies.
The underlying responsibility for cultivating these circumstances lies with a government in Mogadishu unable to protect its citizens and create a condition for political stability despite being provided with exorbitant amounts of international aid to develop such capabilities.”