This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
Published on July 8, 2019, Somaliland has responded to Somalia's recent diplomatic row with Guinea, accusing the latter of bullying its international friends.
At the center of the dispute is Somalia's decision to cut ties with Guinea after the latter hosted Somaliland President Musa Bihi on an official visit, following an invitation by Guinea's President Alpha Conde.
According to Somalia, the invitation of the Somaliland leader to Guinea constitutes an 'egregious violation of Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.'
However, Somaliland has fired back, stating that Somalia's actions are a desperate attempt to undermine its growing diplomatic and trading links with other African countries and international investors.
"The ongoing complaint and bullying of Guinea government is a preemptive action to scare other countries such as Kenya from engaging Somaliland," a statement from Somaliland's foreign affairs ministry read.
"The International community should ignore the complaints and continue to engage Somaliland, which is a fully fledged democracy with its president and legislature elected by popular vote," the statement added.
Somalia has also accused Somaliland of violating its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, but Somaliland has maintained that it is a sovereign state with its own government, president, and legislature.
