AGP Executive Report

Israel Ties: Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, presented his credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Hargeisa, where officials also laid the cornerstone for an Israeli embassy. Both sides say they want to deepen trade, investment and security cooperation. Borama Violence: More than 150 homes belonging to Oromo residents were reportedly damaged or looted. Somaliland officials condemned the attacks and said suspects had been arrested, with others being sought. Press Freedom: The Somali Journalists Syndicate says three journalists were arrested in Somaliland over 10 days; Horn Cable TV reporter Abdirahman Mohamed Ege remained detained without charge after an interview with a Somali presidential aspirant. Somalia Relations: Somaliland barred residents from participating in Somalia’s political activities and rejected tickets issued through Somalia’s IATA billing system for departures from Hargeisa and Berbera.

Israel Ties: Israel’s ambassador, Michael Lotem, presented his credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Hargeisa, and officials laid the cornerstone for an Israeli embassy. The move advances ties in trade, investment and security after Israel became the first UN member state to recognise Somaliland in 2025. Borama Violence: More than 150 homes belonging to Oromo residents were reportedly damaged or looted. Somaliland officials condemned the attacks, said suspects had been arrested and pledged to protect residents. Press Freedom: The Somali Journalists Syndicate says three journalists were arrested in Somaliland over 10 days in October. Two were released; Horn Cable TV reporter Abdirahman Mohamed Ege remained in detention without charge after an interview with a Somali presidential aspirant. Political Restrictions: Somaliland’s Interior Ministry has barred residents from participating in Somalia’s political activities, including elections, and ordered security agencies to take violators to court.

Israel Ties: Israel’s ambassador, Michael Lotem, presented his credentials to President Irro in Hargeisa, and officials laid the cornerstone for an Israeli embassy. The move advances relations since Israel became the first UN member state to recognise Somaliland in December 2025, with trade, investment, infrastructure and security among the priorities. Borama Violence: More than 150 homes belonging to Oromo residents were reportedly damaged or looted in attacks in Borama. Somaliland officials condemned the violence, said suspects had been arrested and pledged to protect residents and their property. Press Freedom: A journalists’ group says three journalists were arrested in Somaliland within 10 days in October. Two were released; Horn Cable TV reporter Abdirahman Mohamed Ege remained in detention without charge after being questioned about an interview with a Somali presidential aspirant. Somalia Politics: Somaliland’s Interior Ministry has barred people in its territory from participating in Somalia’s political activities, including elections, and ordered security agencies to take legal action against violators.

Borama Violence: More than 150 homes belonging to Ethiopian residents were reportedly damaged or looted in attacks on Oromo residents. Somaliland officials condemned the violence, announced arrests and warned against importing cross-border tensions. Press Freedom: A journalists’ syndicate says Somaliland police arrested three journalists in 10 days; two were released, while Horn Cable TV reporter Abdirahman Mohamed Ege remained held without charge after an interview with a Somali presidential aspirant. Political Tensions: Somaliland’s Interior Ministry has barred residents from participating in Somalia’s elections and other political activities, calling violations an offence against Somaliland’s independence. Aviation Dispute: Somaliland has rejected tickets issued through Somalia’s IATA billing system for departures from Hargeisa and Berbera, including tickets bought before the ban, requiring travellers to use approved channels.

Borama Attacks: Somaliland officials condemned attacks on Oromo residents after homes were burned and looted, saying suspects had been arrested and others were being sought. The government said it would protect foreign residents and prosecute those responsible. Press Freedom: A journalists’ group says Somaliland police arrested three journalists in 10 days; two were released, while Horn Cable TV reporter Abdirahman Mohamed Ege remained in custody without charge after an interview with a Somali presidential aspirant. Political Restrictions: Somaliland’s Interior Ministry barred residents, officials and organisations from participating in Somalia’s elections or other political activities, ordering security agencies to take violators to court. Aviation Dispute: Somaliland also rejected tickets issued through Somalia’s restored IATA billing system for flights from Hargeisa and Berbera, including previously sold tickets. Returns from Libya: Somalia repatriated 169 citizens from Libyan prisons; 29 arrived in Hargeisa under an IOM-supported programme.

Press Freedom: Somaliland police arrested three journalists in 10 days, the Somali Journalists Syndicate says. Two were released; Horn Cable TV reporter Abdirahman Mohamed Ege remained in custody without charge after interviewing a Somali presidential hopeful. Political Restrictions: Somaliland’s Interior Ministry has barred residents from taking part in Somalia’s elections or other political activities, warning that violators could face court action. Aviation Dispute: Somaliland has rejected tickets issued through Somalia’s IATA billing system for departures from Hargeisa and Berbera, including tickets bought before the ban, sharpening the dispute over control of air travel. Regional Security: Uganda has begun withdrawing troops from Somalia after nearly 20 years in the African Union mission, raising questions about the security handover as al-Shabaab remains active. Renewed Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions over Red Sea access also threaten to widen instability across the Horn. Returnees: A repatriation operation brought 169 Somali citizens home from Libyan prisons; 29 arrived in Hargeisa.

Migration: Somalia repatriated 169 citizens from Libyan prisons, including 29 who arrived in Hargeisa, through an EU- and IOM-supported programme. Regional Security: Uganda says it has begun withdrawing troops from Somalia after nearly 20 years in the African Union mission, raising questions about the security handover as al-Shabaab remains active. Political Tensions: Somaliland has barred residents and officials from participating in Somalia’s elections or political activities, ordering security agencies to take violators to court. Press Freedom: The Committee to Protect Journalists is urging Hargeisa to release Horn Cable TV journalist Abdirahman Ege, detained without charge since October 22 after interviewing a Somali presidential hopeful. Aviation: Somaliland continues to reject tickets issued through Somalia’s IATA billing system for departures from Hargeisa and Berbera, reinforcing its separate control over air travel. Trade: Ethiopia still sends 96.7% of its maritime cargo through Djibouti, while Berbera handles only 2.74%, underscoring the gap between regional port ambitions and actual trade flows.

Political Directive: Somaliland’s Interior Ministry has barred residents, officials and organisations from taking part in Somalia’s elections or political activities, warning that violators could face legal action. Press Freedom: CPJ has called for journalist Abdirahman Mohamed Ege’s release; he has been held without charge in Hargeisa since October 22 after interviewing a Somalia presidential hopeful. Aviation: Somaliland has rejected tickets issued through Somalia’s IATA billing system for departures from Hargeisa and Berbera, including previously purchased return tickets, requiring travellers to use locally approved channels. Recognition: China and Djibouti have again opposed Somaliland’s international recognition, backing Somalia’s territorial integrity in a joint statement. Health: Doctors in Somaliland reported a rare case in which a 42-year-old woman carried a calcified fetus in her abdomen for about three years before seeking care for pain.

Political Restrictions: Somaliland’s Interior Ministry has barred residents, officials and organizations from taking part in Somalia’s political activities, including elections, and warned violators could face prosecution. Press Freedom: The Committee to Protect Journalists is urging Hargeisa to release Horn Cable TV journalist Abdirahman Ege, detained without charge since October 22 after interviewing a Somali presidential hopeful. Aviation Dispute: Somaliland has rejected tickets issued through Somalia’s IATA billing system for departures from Hargeisa and Berbera, requiring travelers to use locally approved channels. Recognition: China and Djibouti have again opposed recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. Health: Doctors in Somaliland discovered a calcified fetus in a 42-year-old woman who had lived with abdominal pain for about three years.

Press Freedom: The Committee to Protect Journalists called for journalist Abdirahman Mohamed Ege’s immediate release. He has been held without charge in Hargeisa since October 22 after interviewing a politician seeking Somalia’s presidency. Aviation Dispute: Somaliland has barred tickets issued through Somalia’s IATA billing system for departures from Hargeisa and Berbera, including previously purchased tickets, and told travel agents to comply with local licensing rules by Friday. Regional Politics: Former Somali intelligence chief Abdullahi Sanbalolshe said he met President Irro and the leaders of Puntland and Jubaland to discuss an alliance against Mogadishu; none has publicly confirmed his account. Sanbalolshe also raised the prospect of an armed movement in Hiiraan and did not rule out cooperation with al-Shabaab. Recognition Pushback: China and Djibouti reaffirmed Somalia’s territorial integrity and opposed recognition of Somaliland, as diplomatic tensions over the territory’s status continue. Berbera’s Trade Role: Ethiopia still routes 96.7% of its maritime cargo through Djibouti, with Berbera carrying 2.74%, underscoring the gap between port-diversification plans and trade flows.

Aviation Dispute: Somaliland has banned tickets issued through Somalia’s IATA billing system for departures from Hargeisa and Berbera, including previously purchased return tickets. Travel agents must meet Somaliland’s licensing rules by Friday. Press Freedom: Journalist Abdirahman Egeh remains detained after interviewing politician Abdikadir Mohamed Sharaay, who said he plans to run for Somalia’s presidency. The arrests have drawn criticism from media advocates. Recognition Push: China and Djibouti reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and opposed recognition of Somaliland, underscoring continued regional resistance to Hargeisa’s diplomatic campaign. Berbera’s Trade Role: Ethiopia still routes 96.7% of its maritime cargo through Djibouti, according to recent transport data; Berbera handled 2.74%, highlighting how little Ethiopia has diversified despite years of port diplomacy.

Health: Doctors in Somaliland found a calcified abdominal mass in a 42-year-old woman who had experienced pregnancy-like symptoms three years earlier. Regional displacement: More than 36,000 people fleeing fighting in Ethiopia’s border town of Moyale are sheltering in Kenya, the Red Cross said, as aid groups warn rain could worsen conditions. Ports and recognition: Ethiopia still routes 96.7% of its maritime cargo through Djibouti, while Berbera handles 2.74%, according to transport data. China and Djibouti have meanwhile reaffirmed opposition to Somaliland’s recognition, backing Somalia’s territorial integrity. Press freedom: Somaliland authorities detained journalist Abdirahman Egeh after he interviewed a politician who said he would run for Somalia’s presidency; media advocates questioned the arrest. Tensions with Mogadishu: Somalia’s defence minister alleged the federal government helped fund President Irro’s 2024 campaign, but gave no details and the claim remains unverified. Separately, Somaliland says the federal e-visa is still rejected at Hargeisa airport, despite Mogadishu’s claim the dispute is resolved.

Berbera and Trade: Ethiopia still routes 96.7% of its maritime cargo through Djibouti, despite years of diversification efforts. Berbera accounts for just 2.74%, underscoring both its growth potential and the challenge of attracting more trade. Recognition: China and Djibouti have again opposed recognition of Somaliland, backing Somalia’s territorial integrity as regional tensions grow. Press Freedom: Somaliland authorities detained Horn Cable TV journalist Abdirahman Egeh after he interviewed a politician who plans to run for Somalia’s presidency. The arrests have drawn criticism from media advocates. Political Tensions: Somalia’s defence minister alleges Mogadishu financed President Irro’s 2024 campaign, while former intelligence chief Abdullahi Sanbaloolshe claims he met Irro and other regional leaders in the UAE to discuss an alliance against Somalia’s president. Neither allegation has been independently verified. Air Travel: Mogadishu says its eVisa dispute with Hargeisa is resolved; Somaliland denies any agreement and says it still cancels the federal visa on arrival.

Political Maneuvering: Former Somali intelligence chief Abdullahi Sanbaloolshe claims he met Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro and Puntland and Jubaland leaders in the UAE to discuss an alliance against Somalia’s president. The claim is unverified, and the leaders have not publicly responded. Press Freedom: Somaliland detained journalist Abdirahman Egeh after he interviewed politician Abdikadir Sharaay, who says he plans to run for Somalia’s presidency and favors negotiating with Mogadishu. Authorities have not clarified whether the arrest was tied to the interview; media advocates condemned it. Recognition Push: China and Djibouti renewed their opposition to Somaliland’s recognition and backed Somalia’s territorial integrity, while also warning against Somaliland-Taiwan ties. Federal Dispute: Somalia’s aviation authority says its eVisa dispute with Somaliland is resolved, but Hargeisa denies any agreement and says federal visas remain invalid at Hargeisa airport. Separately, Somalia’s defence minister alleged Mogadishu financed Irro’s 2024 campaign, offering no details; Somaliland has not publicly responded.

Regional Diplomacy: China and Djibouti urged restraint in the Red Sea and reaffirmed opposition to Somaliland’s recognition, backing Somalia’s territorial integrity. Their stance adds to diplomatic pressure on Hargeisa as recognition remains a central issue. Political Claims: Former Somali intelligence chief Abdullahi Sanbaloolshe said he met President Irro and Puntland and Jubaland leaders in the UAE to discuss an alliance against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He offered no proof of their participation, and the leaders had not responded. Press Freedom: Somaliland detained Horn Cable TV journalist Abdirahman Egeh after he interviewed a politician planning to run for Somalia’s presidency. Authorities have not clarified whether the arrest was linked to the interview, drawing criticism from media advocates. Aviation Dispute: Hargeisa rejected Mogadishu’s claim that the eVisa dispute was resolved, saying Somali visas remain invalid at Hargeisa airport and no new airspace agreement exists.

Alliance Claims: Former Somali intelligence chief Abdullahi Sanbaloolshe says he met Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro and Puntland and Jubaland leaders in the UAE to discuss an alliance against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The claim is unverified, and the leaders have not publicly responded. Media Freedom: Somaliland authorities detained Horn Cable TV journalist Abdirahman Egeh after the channel interviewed presidential hopeful Abdikadir Sharaay, who was also arrested. The detentions have drawn criticism from press-freedom advocates. Recognition Push: China and Djibouti reaffirmed Somalia’s territorial integrity and opposed diplomatic recognition of Somaliland, as well as closer Somaliland-Taiwan ties. Political Tensions: Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi alleged Mogadishu financed much of Waddani’s 2024 election campaign, saying the government expected Irro to be open to talks on unity. He gave no details, and Hargeisa had not responded.