H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro, President of the Republic of Somaliland, today conducted an official visit to the headquarters of the Somaliland National Army, an on-the-ground assessment of operational readiness, capability gaps, and near-term priorities. Meeting directly with senior commanders, the President underscored a simple message: defending Somaliland’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens is the first duty of his administration.

A Concrete Step: Housing for Soldiers and Families

In a milestone move, the President confirmed that, for the first time since Somaliland restored its sovereignty in 1991, the government has begun building dedicated housing for service members and their families. More than a welfare initiative, this is a readiness reform: stable housing lifts morale, improves retention, and strengthens the deployability of units. It also delivers on a core pledge from President Irro’s election campaign, turning policy into tangible support for those who serve.

Strengthening the Armed Forces: Civilian Integration

Beyond infrastructure, President Irro has taken decisive steps to expand and unify Somaliland’s defense capacity. Recently, his government formally integrated over 6,000 civilian defense personnel into the military command structure, ensuring coherence, discipline, and professionalism across all security units.

This move not only improves coordination in countering threats but also provides thousands of young men with structured service under a single command, reducing risks of fragmentation and bolstering long-term stability in Somaliland and the wider region.

Why This Visit Matters Now

The region is volatile. The Horn of Africa and Red Sea corridor face overlapping shocks, cross-border militias, arms trafficking, extremist networks, and maritime insecurity that threatens global trade.  Somalia, meanwhile, has long been the anchor of chaos in the Horn. Its leaders have failed to deliver stability, while billions in international aid have enriched political elites instead of solving the country’s deep internal crises.

Today, that dysfunction is no longer contained. Backed by bad state actors beyond region, Mogadishu is actively attempting to export its chaos into Somaliland by supporting militias groups along the eastern border, an aggressive move that threatens to destabilize one of the few functioning democracies in the region.

In doing so, Somalia is not only undermining Somaliland’s sovereignty but also acting directly against U.S. national interests in the Horn of Africa, where stability, counterterrorism, and the security of maritime trade routes are top strategic priorities.

 

Somaliland, by contrast, has been the solution. For over three decades, and without international re-recognition or foreign military guarantees, Somaliland has secured its borders, disrupted extremist networks, and preserved internal peace. The discipline and professionalism of its National Army have been the backbone of this stability, making Somaliland not just a local success story, but a rare and indispensable anchor of order in a turbulent neighborhood.

 

These initiatives strengthen that role. By modernizing the force, integrating over the 6,000 civilian forces under unified command, and investing directly in soldiers’ welfare, President Irro is hardening Somaliland’s resilience where it counts most: the frontline. Better-supported, better-organized troops are more effective in safeguarding sovereignty and regional stability.

Re-recognition: The Force Multiplier

Somaliland already acts like a responsible state; re-recognition would let it be treated like one. Formal re-recognition would:

• Unlock deeper security partnerships, training pipelines, and interoperable standards;
• Open access to financing for infrastructure that underpins security (from barracks to communications to logistics);
• Enhance intelligence sharing and coordinated maritime and counterterror operations across the Red Sea and Horn. In short: Somaliland is doing the work. Re-recognition would scale the impact.

 

Laasgeel Institute: A Call to Partners

The Laasgeel Institute for Policy Studies and Research Analysis urges the world, particularly the United States and like-minded allies, to engage Somaliland on the basis of performance and principled stability. Backing re-recognition would strengthen counterterrorism efforts, secure vital trade routes, and reward a proven track record of democratic governance and restraint.

 

Conclusion

President Irro’s visit to National Army Headquarters is more than a symbolic inspection, it’s a practical pivot toward a stronger, more supported force. With housing for soldiers, the integration of thousands of civilian defense personnel, and an unbroken record of resilience, Somaliland is showing it can meet today’s threats head-on.

In a region where volatility is the norm, Somaliland continues to deliver stability. Investing in soldiers’ welfare now fortifies that role; international re-recognition would multiply it. The message from Hargeisa is clear: Somaliland is ready to carry its share of the regional security burden, and with the right partnerships, to carry even more.