Somalia-Guinea Row: Mogadishu warns against meddling in internal affairs over Somaliland

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Somalia is warning against foreign meddling in its internal affairs. It's cut ties with Guinea, after it welcomed a Somaliland leader - an area Somalia considers an autonomous region. CGTN's Abdulaziz Billow reports from Mogadishu.

In a meeting with foreign envoys, Somalia's top diplomat Ahmed Isse Awad has called on world countries to respect his country's sovereignty and maintain a 'One Somalia Policy' The meeting came days after the federal government of Somalia cut diplomatic ties with Guinea following an official visit by the Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi to the West African nation.

AHMED ISSE AWAD SOMALI FOREIGN MINISTER "Somaliland is not an independent country and there is no country in the world that has recognized it. The UN, AU, IGAD, Arab League respect and maintain the One Somalia policy - therefore, we call on countries to respect international law and not violate our sovereignty."

Guinea is not the first country to accord the leader of the breakaway region a presidential welcome - the United Arab Emirates has welcomed the Somaliland leader amid frosty relation with Mogadishu - Awad, however, warns - that Somalia will no longer tolerate any violations.

AHMED ISSE AWAD SOMALI FOREIGN MINISTER "Guinea not only violated Somalia's sovereignty but also affected the reconciliation process between the people of Somalia. It's up to Somalis to decide the fate of their own country - foreign interference is a major obstacle to the talks between the government and Somaliland."

Both countries don't have any diplomatic presence in their respective capitals but are both members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation - experts however warn that the government must resume talks with the autonomous region instead of waging a diplomatic fight with African countries.

HASAAN IMAM INDEPENDENT ANALYST "The government shouldn't punish the entire regions due to a single individual. Instead, it should look at the broader picture and ensure their stability, development and access to basic services. The government should focus on Muse Bihi only - but have a new approach to solving the Somaliland issue."

Earlier this week, Mogadishu summoned Kenya's envoy to Somalia over an offensive tweet that referred to Somaliland as a 'country' - comments that angered Somali authorities.

ABDULAZIZ BILLOW MOGADISHU, SOMALIA "The northern region in Somalia has in recent months stepped up its campaign for recognition - this is after talks between the two sides collapsed in 2016. The Republic of Guinea hasn't officially endorsed Somaliland's bid for recognition, but Somaliland sees this as a diplomatic boost in its efforts to seek global recognition."