“Every citizen is a police in Somaliland”
New York (SLpost)- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” faced a series of sensitive questions concerning Somaliland’s international relations, security partnerships and geopolitical position during an engagement at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in New York.
The discussion covered some of the most consequential issues facing Somaliland, including its relations with Taiwan and Israel, the potential reaction of China and Muslim-majority countries, and the possibility of deeper security cooperation with the United States.
Somaliland Defends Its Relations With Taiwan
Responding to a question about Somaliland’s relationship with Taiwan and the reaction from Beijing, President Irro acknowledged that China is strongly opposed to Somaliland’s engagement with Taiwan.
He nevertheless defended the decision, saying Somaliland chose to establish and maintain relations with Taiwan as an independent country with the right to determine its own international relationships.
The issue has placed Somaliland within a broader geopolitical debate involving China and Taiwan, particularly as Beijing continues to oppose official relations between Taiwan and entities it considers part of its diplomatic sphere.
Somaliland and Taiwan have maintained representative offices in each other’s territories since 2020, developing cooperation in areas including trade, education, health and technology.
President Irro Addresses Israeli Presence
The Somaliland president was also asked about Israel’s involvement in Somaliland and whether Israel currently maintains a military presence on Somaliland territory.
President Irro said, “there is currently no Israeli military presence on Somaliland soil”.
At the same time, he did not completely rule out the possibility of future discussions concerning Israeli involvement, leaving the issue open to potential consideration as Somaliland develops its international partnerships.
His remarks come amid growing international attention to Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and its proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
Somaliland and Potential U.S. Military Training
President Irro also disclosed that his government is engaged in discussions with the U.S. Department of War concerning the possibility of training for Somaliland military personnel.
The president presented the discussions as part of Somaliland’s broader efforts to strengthen its security capabilities and develop cooperation with international partners.
If such training arrangements were to materialize, they could represent a significant expansion of Somaliland’s security engagement with Washington, particularly given its strategic position and the wider security challenges affecting the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
Extremism and Somaliland’s Security Record
Another question focused on why Somaliland has largely avoided the establishment of sustained extremist strongholds on its territory, unlike parts of Somalia where militant organizations have maintained significant territorial and operational networks.
President Irro offered a concise explanation, emphasizing the role of community-based security and identity controls.
He said that “every citizen is a police” in Somaliland, highlighting what he described as the role ordinary citizens play in identifying and reporting suspicious activity within their communities.
He also pointed to Somaliland’s controls over foreign residents, saying that foreigners cannot live in Somaliland without first identifying themselves and being registered.
The president’s response framed public vigilance and the identification of non-citizens as important elements of Somaliland’s approach to preventing extremist groups from establishing themselves within local communities.
A Broader U.S. Engagement and Geopolitical Balancing
President Irro’s appearance at the Council on Foreign Relations was part of a broader diplomatic and policy engagement in the United States.
During his visit, the Somaliland president also addressed an audience at the Hudson Institute, where he discussed Somaliland’s strategic importance and its broader international relations.
He has also held meetings with U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill, as well as engagements with representatives of other prominent American think tanks and policy organizations. The meetings have focused on Somaliland’s diplomatic aspirations, regional security, economic interests and its strategic position in the Horn of Africa and along the Red Sea.
The series of engagements has provided President Irro with opportunities to present Somaliland’s position directly to American policymakers, lawmakers and foreign-policy experts as his administration seeks to expand Somaliland’s international partnerships and advance its diplomatic agenda in Washington.
