Thank you for contacting me about Somaliland.
As you know, HM Government (HMG) does not, along with the rest of the international community, recognise Somaliland as an independent state. However, I am glad that the UK and Somaliland maintain a close and productive relationship.
Indeed, the UK is the only western country with permanent representation in Hargeisa, through which HMG regularly engages with the Somaliland Government on a range of issues — be it trade, investment, climate change, development, or democracy. Somaliland has made positive progress on these issues, thanks in part to the UK’s continued engagement and support.
However, the deterioration of human rights in Somaliland in 2022, in particular the curtailing of media freedoms, restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and expression, and the use of disproportionate force and live fire to disperse protestors, is concerning. Rest assured the UK continues to monitor the human rights situation in Somaliland and works with human rights defenders across Somaliland to use our collective voice to call for change.
Returning to the issue of sovereignty, I agree with Ministers that, ultimately, it is for Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia to decide their constitutional future, with neighbours in the region taking the lead on recognising any new arrangement. To this end, I am assured that Ministers continue to encourage peaceful and constructive dialogue between Hargeisa and Mogadishu.
I appreciate that this may not have been the response that you were looking for, but I hope to have at least made HMG's position clear.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.