The government of Somaliland has welcomed statements made by Israel and the United States at the United Nations Security Council, acknowledging the genocide committed against its people in 1988. In a statement issued after the Security Council meeting on December 29, Somaliland’s foreign ministry expressed appreciation for the comments made by Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, recognizing the mass killings carried out by Somalia’s former military government.
The ministry also praised remarks by the deputy representative of the United States to the United Nations, which highlighted Somaliland’s role and standing within the international community and reflected respect for historical truth. However, Somaliland’s government strongly criticized Somalia’s UN envoy for rejecting descriptions of the 1988 campaign as genocide, mass killings, and attempted ethnic cleansing. The government stated that these crimes are well-documented and widely recognized as crimes against humanity.
Somaliland has functioned as a peaceful, self-governing state since 1991, with its own elected government, security forces, and democratic institutions. Despite the absence of formal international recognition by most of the global community, Somaliland has maintained stability and held regular elections for over three decades, demonstrating the attributes of statehood. The government asserts that its claim to statehood is based on historical legality, effective governance, defined territory, and the freely expressed will of its people.
Somaliland was internationally recognized as an independent state in 1960 before voluntarily uniting with Somalia. The government remains committed to peace, democratic governance, and regional cooperation. The acknowledgment of the 1988 genocide by Israel and the United States is seen as a significant step towards recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty and its people’s right to self-determination. The international community’s response to Somaliland’s situation will be closely watched, as the country continues to seek recognition and cooperation with the global community.
