Hornpost
Doha, (Horn post) The Qatar National Democratic Party (QNDP) has issued an official statement declaring its formal recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, citing principles of international law and the right of peoples to self-determination.
In its statement, the QNDP said the decision is grounded in established international legal norms, including the right to self-determination as articulated in the Charter of the United Nations and other international covenants. The party emphasized that political legitimacy derives from the will of the people, exercised through constitutional governance and accountable, elected institutions.
“In international law, legitimacy flows from constitutional order, representative institutions, and the freely expressed consent of the governed,” the statement said. “Any ruling system that lacks genuine constitutional representation and effective accountability cannot credibly claim to act as the sole representative of its people on the international stage.”
Based on this interpretation, the QNDP argued that Qatar’s current ruling authority does not possess the legal or representative mandate to assert an exclusive position on matters related to the recognition of other states’ sovereignty. The party maintained that any such position issued by the Qatari government has no binding legal effect beyond its own jurisdiction.
As a practical step accompanying the declaration, the Qatar National Democratic Party announced its intention to establish a permanent official representation office in the Republic of Somaliland. According to the party, the office will serve as a platform for direct political dialogue and diplomatic engagement with Somaliland’s authorities and institutions.
“The people of Somaliland have demonstrated their clear and consistent will for sovereignty through decades of stable, constitutional self-governance,” a QNDP spokesperson said. “Our recognition reflects adherence to international legal standards and acknowledges the empirical reality of Somaliland’s statehood.”
The statement by the QNDP, an opposition political party in Qatar, adds a new dimension to the ongoing international debate over Somaliland’s quest for recognition. It frames the issue not only as a matter of geopolitics, but also as a question of political legitimacy, constitutional governance, and representative authority in international relations.
Prepared:
Horn post Reporter
