What You Need to Know
The Somali government has condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, reaffirming its commitment to national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement, the government emphasized that Somaliland is an integral part of Somalia and rejected any external attempts to alter its national unity.
Africa. The Somali government has condemned Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland” as an independent state. The Republic of Somalia reaffirmed its absolute and non-negotiable commitment to its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity, in accordance with the provisional constitution, the United Nations Charter, and the African Union’s founding act. This statement followed an emergency meeting of the Somali government on Friday evening, emphasizing its firm rejection of any deliberate violation of its sovereignty, including what it described as the “illegal” step of Israel’s recognition of the region. The government asserted that the region is an inseparable part of the territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia and cannot be separated or conceded under any circumstances.
The statement stressed that Somalia is a unified state that cannot be divided, and no external party has the authority or legal standing to alter its unity or territorial composition. It considered any declarations or recognitions aimed at undermining this fact as null and void, with no legal or political effect under international law. The government affirmed that issues related to the country’s unity and constitutional system are internal matters that must be resolved exclusively through legal, constitutional, and peaceful means.
In this context, Somalia reiterated its steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination, firmly rejecting occupation, forced displacement, demographic engineering, and settlement expansion. It emphasized that it will not accept the transformation of the Palestinian people into a stateless nation. The Somali government also stated that it will not allow the establishment of foreign military bases or arrangements on its territory that could drag the country into proxy conflicts or transfer regional and international tensions into Somalia.
It warned that such unlawful actions could undermine peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, exacerbating political and security tensions in the region, and contradicting international efforts to combat terrorism, including groups like “Al-Shabaab” and “ISIS,” potentially creating a favorable environment for extremist groups.
Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the international community based on mutual respect and adherence to international law, reiterating its determination to take all necessary diplomatic, political, and legal measures to defend its sovereignty, unity, and internationally recognized borders. The federal government called on Somali citizens to maintain their unity and vigilance in the face of challenges, and urged countries and international partners to respect the principles of non-interference and territorial integrity, acting responsibly to promote security and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Earlier on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s official recognition of the “Republic of Somaliland” as an independent and sovereign state, a move that has sparked widespread regional and international reactions. Netanyahu, along with the Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar and the President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, signed a joint and reciprocal declaration regarding this matter.
Somalia has faced ongoing challenges regarding its territorial integrity and national unity, particularly with the self-declared Republic of Somaliland seeking independence since the early 1990s. The region’s quest for recognition has been met with resistance from the Somali central government, which views any such recognition as a threat to its sovereignty. The recent announcement by Israel has intensified these tensions, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa and the broader implications for regional stability.
