MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s defence minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has launched a scathing attack on the president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Irro, accusing him of hypocrisy and of facilitating what he described as an “enemy” presence on Somali territory.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for Somali army officers trained by Turkey, Mr Fiqi denounced President Irro as a “big hypocrite” who had led a hostile power into Somalia’s land. His remarks were a direct reference to Tuesday’s visit by Israel’s foreign minister to Hargeisa, the capital of the self-declared republic of Somaliland.
The defence minister said the same enemy had “carried out genocide” in Palestine and now sought to do the same in Somalia. He warned that Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity were under threat from what he characterised as illegal foreign incursions.
Mr Fiqi also blamed the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, which he referred to as “khawarijites”, for constraining the federal government’s ability to respond. He said the group was effectively “tying the hands” of the state, creating space for hostile countries to enter Somali territory unchecked.
He urged the Somali National Army to prioritise the defeat of Al-Shabaab, arguing that only by eliminating the group could Somalia prevent Israel and other hostile states from violating its borders and sovereignty.
The comments came a day after Somalia’s federal government failed to stop the Israeli foreign minister from landing in Somaliland. During the visit, the Israeli official held talks with the region’s leadership, including President Irro. Both sides agreed to establish reciprocal embassies following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland last month.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognised by the Somali federal government, which continues to regard the region as an integral part of the country.
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