Monday July 28, 2025
Doha (HOL) – Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation, Ali Mohamed Omar Balcad, has downplayed reports
that the Qatari government is mediating between the Federal Government of
Somalia and the breakaway Somaliland administration.
The minister emphasized that Somaliland has always been part
of Somalia and stated that there is no need for external mediation between two
Somali parties. He noted that talks between Mogadishu and Hargeisa have
recently taken place in Djibouti and Ankara, though they have not resulted in
key agreements on unification or separation.
“Somaliland is a region of Somalia. Our strategy is to
resolve internal disputes through a constitutional process between us. If a
foreign friend wants to support us in this, we welcome it. But we do not accept
that they be viewed as two independent parties in need of international
mediation,” said Ali Balcad.
The minister made the remarks during an interview with The
New Arab while on a two-day visit to Doha, Qatar.
During the interview, the State Minister also denied reports
suggesting that there are talks between the United States and the terrorist
organization Al-Shabaab about potential negotiations between the Somali
government and the group.
He dismissed the claims as completely baseless, adding that
the United States still upholds its long-standing position of designating
Al-Shabaab as a terrorist organization.
Hamza Warfa, a former adviser to the U.S. State Department,
had previously stated that the Trump administration could consider reaching out
directly to the Al-Shabaab group. However, the Somali government has reiterated
its commitment to using all necessary means to eliminate the group from the
country.
Al-Shabaab remains a designated terrorist organization by
both Somalia and the United States.
