By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Hargeisa (Dawan Africa) – The KAAH Party has accused the Somaliland government of pursuing a foreign policy based on hostility, insults and public condemnation, particularly toward countries with which Somaliland has important political, economic and diplomatic interests.
Speaking at a public event on Thursday, KAAH Party chairman Mohamoud Hashi Abdi said the government had misinterpreted recent diplomatic developments and was acting as though Somaliland had already secured full international recognition.
Mohamoud Hashi said full recognition means being recognized by the member states of the United Nations and obtaining a seat in international institutions.
“We believe the recognition we received is not full recognition. Full recognition is when the United Nations and its member states recognize you and you are given a seat,” he said.
The KAAH chairman criticized the ruling Waddani Party, saying it had moved too quickly to portray what he described as a diplomatic achievement as full recognition. He argued that Somaliland still faces a long diplomatic effort to win the support of countries that have yet to recognize it.
He also accused some government officials of insulting countries with which Somaliland maintains important interests, including Djibouti, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Mohamoud Hashi said Somaliland shares economic, political and social ties with those countries and should not respond with hostility simply because they hold different positions on Somaliland’s bid for recognition.
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“Diplomacy is not insults and condemnation. Diplomacy is how you speak to those with whom you agree on some issues and disagree on others,” he said.
He added that several Arab and Islamic countries continue to finance development projects in Somaliland and said those economic and social partnerships should not be overlooked.
Mohamoud Hashi singled out Djibouti, describing it as a brotherly country that Somaliland should engage through respectful dialogue and sustained diplomatic outreach.
“Our brothers in Djibouti must be appealed to. We must acknowledge their role. We must approach them from every side, left and right,” he said.
The KAAH chairman said Somaliland would not strengthen its international standing through what he described as “poor politics” or travel photographs, but by building a positive image at home capable of convincing the international community.
The KAAH Party has previously opposed the Somaliland government’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, arguing that the status of Jerusalem is not only an Arab issue but also an Islamic one. The party has also said that recognizing Israel would be inconsistent with Somaliland’s constitution.