The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), on Sunday held high-level talks with a senior French diplomatic delegation at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa, marking a significant step toward strengthening relations between Somaliland and France.
The delegation was led by France’s Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, Romain Joly, and included a number of officials and experts, making it the largest French delegation to pay an official visit to Somaliland to date. The visit underscores France’s growing interest in deepening engagement with Somaliland across diplomatic, economic, cultural, and developmental sectors.
President Cirro welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for their visit, emphasizing Somaliland’s readiness to enhance cooperation with France. He highlighted key areas of mutual interest, including diplomacy, trade, investment, tourism, culture, education, and knowledge exchange.
The president noted that Somaliland offers a stable and peaceful environment supported by political stability and a functioning democratic system. He said these factors provide a strong foundation for productive and long-term partnerships with international partners such as France.
A prominent member of the French delegation was Dr. Xavier Gutherz, a renowned international expert who has played a leading role in raising global awareness about the historical and archaeological significance of the Laas Geel rock art sites in Somaliland. President Cirro praised Dr. Gutherz for his long-standing efforts in preserving and promoting Somaliland’s cultural heritage.
During the meeting, the president reaffirmed his full support for a French government–funded project titled “Protection and Development of Somaliland’s Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Sites.” In recognition of his contributions, President Cirro presented Dr. Gutherz with a Certificate of Honor, commending him and his team for their dedication to safeguarding Somaliland’s historical legacy.
President Irro also briefed the delegation on the wide-ranging opportunities available in Somaliland, particularly in trade, investment, education, and cultural cooperation. He stressed that Somaliland is keen to expand collaboration with France and encourages French businesses and institutions to explore investment opportunities in the country.
In his remarks, Deputy Ambassador Romain Joly thanked the Somaliland government for the warm reception accorded to the delegation. He stated that France is interested in strengthening its relationship with Somaliland and values the role the region plays in promoting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Joly added that France recognizes Somaliland’s efforts in maintaining security and fostering democratic governance, noting that these achievements are critical for regional stability and international cooperation.
According to a statement issued by the Somaliland Presidency, the meeting concluded with a shared understanding and mutual desire to further enhance cooperation and partnership between the two sides. Both parties expressed commitment to pursuing sustainable and mutually beneficial collaboration that supports development and shared interests.
The visit is seen as an important diplomatic engagement that could pave the way for deeper ties between Somaliland and France, particularly in cultural preservation, economic development, and regional peace initiatives.