Somalia: Dahabshiil's Somaliland U-Turn Triggers Boycott Fury

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Dahabshiil, a prominent Somali remittance company, has acceded to a directive from the Federal Government of Somalia by erasing all references to "Somaliland" from its platforms, igniting a firestorm of protest within the breakaway region.

The move, seen by many in Somaliland as a stark betrayal, follows similar concessions made by international airlines like Flydubai and Ethiopian Airlines. These carriers had to list Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital, under Somalia's jurisdiction after facing regulatory threats from Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority.

In August this year, Somalia's Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a strict order requiring all remittance companies and businesses operating in Somalia, explicitly addressing Paysii, Dahabshiil, Jubba Express, and other financial institutions, to eliminate any references to "Somaliland" from their websites and financial services.

Despite its origins in Somaliland, Dahabshiil's statement on the matter emphasized its international status, suggesting that its operations across 120 countries necessitate compliance with global norms and regulations.

"Dahabshiil is a global company operating in more than 120 countries. We're international like FlyDubai, Turkish Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines. We all operate under international rules. Dahabshiil started in Burao, Somaliland & went global from there. We'll continue to serve all," said the company.

The reaction in Somaliland has been immediate, with social media outlets abuzz with indignation. Calls for a boycott of Dahabshiil's services are rampant, with residents accusing the company of renouncing its Somaliland heritage in favor of Somali governmental compliance. This sentiment stems from the belief that such actions undermine Somaliland's struggle for sovereignty, declared unilaterally in 1991 but not universally recognized.

Dahabshiil, operating in many countries, now faces a delicate situation where its adherence to Somali policy might safeguard its operations but at the potential cost of alienating its customer base in Somaliland.

GAROWE ONLINE