Somaliland’s representative in Kenya, Mohamed Ahmed Hurre (Barwaani), said that Somaliland’s borders cannot be changed, and it is not possible for Somaliland to accept the SSC Khaatumo administration.
Ambassador Barwaani, who gave an interview to BBC Somali, argued that the people living in the SSC areas can object, but the borders of Somaliland, which he said were 140 years old, cannot be crossed, and international pressure cannot be changed. He accused the Federal Government of Somalia of inciting conflicts in the Sool and Sanaag regions.
“The hundred-year-old land of Somaliland cannot be changed with a two-day visit. The concerns of the residents are what the President of Somaliland spoke about. They are our brothers, their suffering is not welcome, but the efforts made by the Somaliland government are being destroyed by Hamse and Hassan Sheikh,” said Ambassador Barwaani.
He added that Somaliland will never accept the SSC Khaatumo administration, and that this is not in line with international law. He also said that previous Somali governments were shy about going to Sool, while the Hassan Sheikh government decided to directly attack Somaliland.
“People can fight, they can say something, but that does not mean that someone somewhere will say I recognize you, and I will destroy borders that have been there for hundreds of years — that is not possible,” Ambassador Barwaani added.
The Somaliland government has strongly opposed the Federal Government of Somalia’s recognition of the Khaatumo SSC administration, calling it a violation of its sovereignty, and has completely halted talks with Somalia.
On the other hand, the people of Lascaanod, who were visited by the Somali Prime Minister, Hamse Abdi Barre, welcomed the recognition, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone for development projects in the area.
Somaliland lost control of Lascaanod in early 2023, but still considers it part of its territory, as it is based on the concept of the borders of British Somaliland.
