Somalia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Mohamed Omar Balcad, has firmly dismissed recent media reports suggesting Qatari mediation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland.
Why the Federal Government of Somalia Doesn’t Welcome Qatari Mediation
In an interview with The New Arab during his two-day official visit to Doha, Minister Balcad reaffirmed Somalia’s position that Somaliland is an integral part of the country and emphasized that internal matters should be resolved through Somali-led processes, not through international mediation.
“Somaliland is a region of Somalia.
Our approach is to resolve disputes through our constitutional framework.
While we welcome support from international friends, we reject any narrative that treats the two sides as separate entities requiring foreign mediation,” he stated.
The minister acknowledged previous dialogue efforts between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, held in Djibouti and Ankara, but noted that these meetings have not produced any conclusive outcomes regarding unity or independence.
No U.S.–Al-Shabaab Talks, Federal Government of Somalia Reaffirms Counterterrorism Strategy
Minister Balcad also addressed recent speculation that the United States may be engaged in talks with the militant group Al-Shabaab.
He categorically denied the claims, labeling them as “completely baseless.”
“There are no negotiations between the U.S. and Al-Shabaab.
The United States maintains its clear stance—Al-Shabaab is a terrorist organization,” he affirmed.
Somali Government Position Remains the Same
The remarks come in response to earlier statements by Hamza Warfa, a former adviser to the U.S. State Department, who claimed the Trump administration had considered opening a dialogue with the group.
However, the Somali government reiterated that its position remains unchanged: Al-Shabaab is a terrorist group that poses a direct threat to national and regional security, and the government is committed to eradicating it through all available means.
Both Somalia and the United States continue to officially designate Al-Shabaab as a terrorist organization, and efforts to combat the group remain a top priority in ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.
Somalia Continues to Seek Constructive International Partnerships
The Somali government’s statements underscore its firm stance on national sovereignty and unity, rejecting any foreign narratives that undermine Somalia’s territorial integrity.
At the same time, the Federal Government of Somalia continues to seek constructive international partnerships in support of its internal dialogue and security stabilization efforts.
