Somalia to review its policy on Somaliland, President Hassan Sheikh says

He also stressed that the federal government would continue to safeguard the interests of communities living in the northern regions and work on initiatives that serve their social, economic and political needs.

"Our commitment to Somali unity will not waver. We will continue searching for every possible avenue that can bring our people back together," he said.

The remarks signal what could become a shift in Mogadishu's approach toward Somaliland, although the president did not outline what specific policy changes the review might produce.

Somaliland declared independence from the rest of Somalia on May 18, 1991, following the collapse of Somalia's central government. Since then, it has operated with its own government, security institutions and electoral system while seeking international recognition as an independent state.

Successive governments in Mogadishu, however, have maintained that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia and have consistently pursued efforts to restore the country's territorial unity through dialogue and political engagement.