Monday July 28, 2025 {HMC} Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Mohamed Omar Balcad, has downplayed reports that the Qatari government is mediating between the Federal Government of Somalia and the breakaway Somaliland administration.
The minister emphasized that Somaliland has always been part of Somalia and stated that there is no need for external mediation between two Somali parties. He noted that talks between Mogadishu and Hargeisa have recently taken place in Djibouti and Ankara, though they have not resulted in key agreements on unification or separation.
“Somaliland is a region of Somalia. Our strategy is to resolve internal disputes through a constitutional process between us. If a foreign friend wants to support us in this, we welcome it. But we do not accept that they be viewed as two independent parties in need of international mediation,” said Ali Balcad.
The minister made the remarks during an interview with The New Arab while on a two-day visit to Doha, Qatar.
During the interview, the State Minister also denied reports suggesting that there are talks between the United States and the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab about potential negotiations between the Somali government and the group.
He dismissed the claims as completely baseless, adding that the United States still upholds its long-standing position of designating Al-Shabaab as a terrorist organization.
Hamza Warfa, a former adviser to the U.S. State Department, had previously stated that the Trump administration could consider reaching out directly to the Al-Shabaab group. However, the Somali government has reiterated its commitment to using all necessary means to eliminate the group from the country.
Al-Shabaab remains a designated terrorist organization by both Somalia and the United States
