\n<\/p>\n
The self-declared Republic of Somaliland has called on Cyprus and Greece to consider formal recognition, citing a recent social media post by Somalia\u2019s new parliament speaker that referred to the \u201cTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus\u201d (TRNC).<\/p>\n
In a statement on social media, Somaliland authorities said: \u201cThe Republic of Somaliland stands with the Republic of Cyprus and Greece against aggression from Somalia and Turkey. The failed state of Somalia\u2019s parliament speaker\u2019s engagement with the speaker of northern Cyprus raises significant questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
They argued that following Somali Parliament Speaker Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur\u2019s reference to the TRNC, \u201cGreece and Cyprus should take a fresh, strategic look at the Republic of Somaliland.\u201d Recognition, they claimed, \u201cwould create new opportunities for diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation, while strengthening a shared position against Somalia and Turkish aggression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nur, elected speaker of Somalia\u2019s House of the People earlier this month, accepted a congratulatory call from Turkish Cypriot assembly speaker Ziya \u00d6zt\u00fcrkler. He then posted that he wished to \u201cextend my sincere thanks to [the] speaker of the assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, for his kind congratulations.\u201d The post was later deleted.<\/p>\n
Somalia\u2019s foreign ministry responded on Friday, stressing that \u201cits position on the Cyprus issue remains unchanged and continues to be guided by the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.\u201d It reaffirmed \u201cfull respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, in accordance with international law.\u201d<\/p>\n
Somalia maintains close political and military ties with Turkey. Nur recently described the relationship, which began with humanitarian aid in 2011, as now encompassing \u201cstrategic projects\u201d built on \u201cbrotherhood, mutual respect, and shared interest,\u201d with cooperation in security, education, health, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid. Last month, Turkey\u2019s parliament approved an extension of its troop presence in Somalia until July 2028 to support efforts against terrorism, piracy, and other threats under a defence cooperation agreement.<\/p>\n
Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland in December 2025. No other state has followed. At the time, Cyprus\u2019s foreign ministry aligned with the European Union in calling for respect for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, stating that Somaliland remains an integral part of it. The EU\u2019s External Action Service issued a similar statement, encouraging dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia\u2019s federal government.<\/p>\n