By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan Africa) 29 May 2026 Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Community Affairs, Ali Omar Mohamed, has said that lasting peace in the Horn of Africa cannot be achieved through fragmentation or short-term political calculations, but through respect for international law and support for a unified Somali state.
In an opinion article published by Dawan Media, the minister said Somalia’s sovereignty is “neither conditional, selective, nor negotiable,” arguing that direct engagement with local entities outside the framework of the Somali state on military, maritime, or geopolitical matters undermines international law and threatens regional stability.
He warned that accepting dealings with regional administrations based on what is described as “effective control” could encourage state fragmentation and separatist movements in Africa and beyond.
The minister stressed that the Federal Government welcomes investment and economic development across all parts of Somalia but rejects the use of economic projects or infrastructure initiatives as political tools to undermine national unity or create new realities on the ground.
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He also cautioned that efforts to secure external recognition for separatist entities could draw major international rivalries into an already fragile region.
Mohamed argued that a united Somalia poses no threat to any country and instead serves as the strongest guarantee for security in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. He said a unified Somali state is best positioned to protect more than 3,300 kilometres of coastline, combat piracy and extremist groups, and safeguard international trade routes.
The minister added that Somalia has made significant progress in recent years through international and regional support, including advances in counterterrorism, state-building, debt relief, and diplomatic engagement, and said the government remains committed to protecting those gains.
He concluded that respecting Somalia’s unity and sovereignty is not only a legal obligation but also a strategic necessity for achieving sustainable peace and stability in one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.
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