Hassan Sheikh Mohamud weighs gains and failures of Multilateralism

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday offered a candid assessment of Somalia’s experience with multilateralism, saying the country has both benefited from, and at times been “betrayed” by, the international system over the past three decades.

Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Mohamud said international diplomacy has played a critical role in Somalia’s recovery, particularly through reconciliation and peacebuilding conferences held over the past 36 years.

“Somalia has benefited from international diplomacy, in terms of conducting reconciliation and peacebuilding conferences,” He said, adding that at times the country has also been “betrayed” by multilateralism.

The president pointed to gaps in implementation and accountability as key weaknesses in the international system, noting that while consensus is often reached, follow-through remains inconsistent. “In many cases, when there is consensus, things move forward easily,” he said. “But in other situations, even when agreement exists, enforcement is required. The gaps have been in follow-up, support, and accountability among major actors.”

Mohamud also criticized the tendency to host Somali peace processes outside the country, arguing that such approaches excluded key stakeholders. “These dialogue spaces were often held outside Somalia, where many intellectuals, stakeholders, and communities were not present,” he said, adding that this limited the effectiveness of such initiatives.

Despite these shortcomings, the president expressed appreciation for international support, particularly in humanitarian assistance and facilitating dialogue. However, he stressed that durable solutions to Somalia’s challenges must come from within. “When the crisis is internal, the role of the international community is limited,” he said. “It is internal actors who must engage, reach agreement, and build consensus.”

Mohamud added that multilateral diplomacy tends to be more effective in disputes between countries, citing recent progress in relations between Somalia and Ethiopia. He credited mediation efforts led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, saying talks in Ankara helped bring the two sides closer.

“Today we are much closer. We are working together, and the discussions have been very fruitful,” he said.

Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia escalated after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2024 between Somaliland and Ethiopia. Under the agreement, Ethiopia was expected to gain access to the Red Sea through Somaliland in exchange for potential recognition, a move strongly rejected by Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory.

The deal triggered a year-long diplomatic crisis across the Horn of Africa, with Somalia accusing Ethiopia of violating its territorial integrity. The crisis eventually de-escalated through negotiations mediated in Ankara, culminating in the Ankara Declaration, which marked a reset in relations between Somalia and Ethiopia by reaffirming respect for sovereignty and cooperation. Since then, Ethiopia appears to have stepped back from actively pursuing the Somaliland MoU, instead shifting focus toward alternative maritime access options, particularly through Assab Port in Eritrea.

Mohamud also addressed what he described as “Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland,” a move he said was widely rejected by the international community. “The whole world stood with Somalia on that issue and condemned it,” he said, adding that the global response discouraged other countries from taking similar positions.

These remarks come amid increased diplomatic engagement between Israel and Somaliland, including the appointment of what would be its first ambassador to the territory. The move has been welcomed by authorities in Hargeisa. However, the development has drawn strong criticism from Mogadishu, which has condemned it as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity. Several international actors, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, have also expressed“strong condemnation,” viewing the move as an infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty.