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Mogadishu says move violates its sovereignty and accuses Israel of using recognition to advance plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza
Somalia has demanded that Israel immediately reverse its recognition of Somaliland, describing the decision as an act of aggression and a direct violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
Ali Omar, Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, told Al Jazeera on Saturday that the government would use all available diplomatic channels to challenge what it views as unlawful interference in its internal affairs.
“This will never be acceptable or tolerable to our government and people, who are united in defending our territorial integrity,” Omar said. “We strongly advise the State of Israel to rescind its divisive actions and abide by international law.”
First Recognition Sparks International Backlash
Israel became the first country in the world to formally recognise Somaliland on Friday, triggering swift condemnation across Africa and the Arab world. The move has raised concerns that it may be linked to alleged Israeli plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the recognition during a video call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Cirro. Netanyahu framed the decision as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords and said he would raise Somaliland’s case in discussions with United States President Donald Trump.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government and a brutal civil war. Despite operating as a self-declared republic with its own currency, parliament and flag, it has never been recognised by any United Nations member state.
Somalia Accuses Israel of Political Motives
Omar accused Israel of pursuing Somaliland’s recognition as part of a broader strategy related to Gaza.
“One of the motivating factors is the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza,” he said. “This has been widely known as Israel’s goal.”
Palestine’s foreign ministry backed Somalia’s position, recalling earlier Israeli discussions that reportedly identified Somaliland as a potential destination for displaced Palestinians — a move it described as a “red line”.
Somalia’s prime minister’s office also issued a statement condemning Israel’s action as a deliberate and unlawful attack on the country’s sovereignty, reaffirming that Somaliland remains an “inseparable” part of Somali territory.
Somaliland Defends Decision, Celebrations Erupt
President Cirro defended Israel’s recognition, insisting it was not directed against Somalia or any other state and posed no threat to regional peace.
In Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, thousands of residents took to the streets on Friday to celebrate what many see as the end of more than three decades of diplomatic isolation. The Israeli flag was displayed on the national museum as crowds welcomed the development.
In recent weeks, billboards across the city had hinted that international recognition was imminent.
US and African Union Push Back
Despite Netanyahu’s push for broader international support, President Trump distanced himself from the move, telling The New York Post that the United States would not follow Israel’s lead.
Somalia’s Public Works Minister Ayub Ismail Yusuf welcomed Trump’s stance, thanking him publicly on social media.
The African Union’s chairperson, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, also rejected any initiative to recognise Somaliland, warning it would set a dangerous precedent. The AU cited its long-standing principle of preserving borders inherited at independence.
Similarly, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned Israel’s recognition as a provocative violation of international law and state sovereignty.
