Somalia, AU, OIC reject Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
The Government of Somalia has accused Israel of a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty and territorial configuration, calling the recognition of Somaliland, the northern province of Somalia, an “unlawful step” by an external actor.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has been operating as a de facto independent administrative and political entity. But the government couldn’t control the region due to a lack of international recognition.
On Friday, Israel announced it now considers Somaliland an independent state, following the signing of a joint declaration by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
The Somali Foreign Affairs Ministry insists Somaliland remains an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part of Somalia, reaffirming its “absolute and non‑negotiable commitment to its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity.”
The ministry’s statement said the nation’s authority was enshrined in its Provisional Constitution, the United Nations Charter, the African Union’s Constitutive Act, the charters and covenants of the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo described Israel’s declaration as “a complete breach” of international law, which requires Israel to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Somalia. “Our people are firmly united,” he stressed.
Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed the body’s opposition to any “initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity,” adding that it remains an integral part of the Republic of Somalia.
Youssouf said any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia runs counter to the AU’s fundamental principles and may set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across Africa.
The Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s unwavering commitment to Somalia’s unity as well as full support for the efforts of the Somali authorities to consolidate peace, strengthen State institutions, and advance inclusive governance.
Similarly, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state “a blatant violation of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
An official position by the General Secretariat highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa, noting that steps that subvert regional stability could have serious repercussions for the security of the entire region.
Several countries—including Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey—have condemned Israel’s validation of the breakaway Somaliland. Riyadh dubbed it a move to “impose parallel entities” in Somalia and an act that aids “unilateral, separatist measures.”
Backing Somalia, Palestine recalled how Israel floated Somaliland as a destination for relocating Palestinians, particularly from Gaza. In its denouncement, Somalia restated support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and an independent state.
Experts link Israel’s endorsement of Somaliland to its security interests. The region is close to the Red Sea, a strategic location where Israel could stage its troops and assets for potential military operations against the Houthis, Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels.