MOGADISHU, Somalia: Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region “is (a) threat to the security and stability of the world and the region,” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told an emergency parliamentary session on Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Friday announcement, making his country the first to recognise the Somaliland region of Somalia, “is tantamount to a blunt aggression against the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the unity of the people of the Somali Republic,” Mohamud said.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has for decades pushed for international recognition.
But it has been diplomatically isolated since its unilateral declaration of independence.
Somalia’s government and the African Union reacted angrily on Friday after Israel’s announcement.
Mogadishu denounced a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty.
OIC member states reject Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
The Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and the foreign ministers of its 23 member States condemned Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region of Somalia, underscoring the collective concern of the Islamic world over violations of international law and threats to regional stability.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the ministers, representing the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Union of the Comoros, the Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of The Gambia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Iraq, the State of Kuwait, the State of Libya, the Republic of Maldives, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Sultanate of Oman, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Palestine, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of the Sudan, the Republic of Türkiye, and the Republic of Yemen, reiterated their rejection of the recognition announced on 26 December 2025.
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They described the move as a serious violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, which obligates member states to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
The statement reaffirmed the strong support of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its member states for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It explicitly rejected any actions that could undermine the ”unity of the country.” The ministers also warned that recognising segments of states could create a dangerous precedent, posing a threat to international peace and security.
African Union reaffirms commitment to Somalia’s unity
The African Union (AU) also rejected any recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The Chairperson of the Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entity,” the bloc said in a statement on X, warning that such moves risk undermining peace and stability across the continent.
It added that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab League
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s secretary-general, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, condemned and rejected Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, warning it could undermine stability in the Horn of Africa and set a dangerous precedent that risks increasing regional tension and conflict.
Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called Israel’s decision unacceptable, describing it as a clear violation of international law.
He warned that unilateral recognition constitutes interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and sets a dangerous precedent.
US President Donald Trump said Friday he did not intend to immediately follow Israel in recognising Somaliland.
“Everything is under study … We’ll study it. I study a lot of things and always make great decisions and they turn out to be correct,” Trump told the New York Post in a phone interview.
On Somaliland’s proposal to provide the US with access to a port on the strategically significant Gulf of Aden, Trump responded dismissively, saying: “Big deal.”
Pakistan condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as “provocative and illegal.”
Islamabad said it “strongly condemns any attempts to undermine the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia,” rejecting Israel’s move on “the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
It reaffirmed its “complete support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity” of Somalia.
