Hargeisa, Somaliland– Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Ali Marehan, has firmly rebuked recent statements made by Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. Marehan criticized Fiqi’s remarks, which were directed at European diplomats who visited Hargeisa and expressed support for Somaliland’s democratic progress, as an overreach and an affront to Somaliland’s sovereignty.

In his statement, Minister Marehan highlighted the irony of Fiqi’s condemnation, noting that the foreign officials he reproached are among those who have recognized and supported the administration in Mogadishu, which he stated exerts limited control over its own territory. Marehan asserted that Somaliland’s commitment to free and fair elections has been both acknowledged and commended by the international community and emphasized that such acknowledgments do not require approval from the Somali government.

“It is incongruous for an official representing a fragmented administration to attempt to obstruct the right of nations to engage with and applaud the successes of Somaliland,” Marehan said. He affirmed that Somaliland’s progress, stability, and democratic advancements would not be hindered by what he described as unfounded criticisms from Mogadishu.

The Government of Somaliland reiterated its dedication to peace, stability, and the pursuit of development, underscoring that it remains undeterred by external interference or disapproving rhetoric. Somaliland, Marehan concluded, will continue on its path toward growth and self-governance, firmly upholding its autonomy and democratic principles.