Mogadishu (Somalia Today) — Somalia’s government on Tuesday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Hargeisa as an “unauthorised incursion” into an integral part of Somalia’s sovereign territory, deepening a dispute triggered by Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region.
In a press statement, Somalia’s foreign ministry said the trip violated Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity, and amounted to unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a UN member state.
The ministry said any “official presence, contact, or engagement” undertaken in Somali territory without the explicit consent of the federal government is “illegal, null, and void,” and “carries no legal validity or effect.”
Mogadishu called on Israel to ‘immediately cease’ actions that it said undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and unity. It also urged the United Nations, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and other international partners to reiterate their support for Somalia’s internationally recognised borders.
Diplomatic clash
Meanwhile, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, meeting at ministerial level on Tuesday, demanded Israel revoke its recognition of the “so-called ‘Republic of Somaliland’,” and said no actor has the authority or legal standing to alter the territorial configuration of an AU member state.
The PSC said it reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment” to Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and stability under the AU Constitutive Act, the PSC Protocol and the UN Charter, adding that a formal communiqué would follow.
Somalia’s ministry said it remains committed to peaceful international engagement and constructive diplomacy, but reserved the right to take “appropriate diplomatic and legal measures” under international law to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity.
Israel announced in late December that it recognised Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state and would establish diplomatic relations, according to an Israeli government statement.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government. It has built its own institutions, issued its own currency and held elections, but no other country has formally recognised it as a sovereign state.
Sa’ar travelled to Hargeisa roughly ten days after Israel’s recognition, two sources told Reuters, and met Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Iirro, to discuss areas of cooperation.
Hargeisa welcomes
Somaliland’s presidency said Irro received Sa’ar and a delegation at the presidential palace in an official visit, and welcomed Israel’s recognition as a political breakthrough with diplomatic and economic implications for Somaliland and the wider region.
In a presidency readout, Irro thanked Israel for what it described as a courageous decision and said it could open opportunities in investment, trade, technology, energy, water, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
Irro portrayed recognition as strengthening Somaliland’s role in promoting peace, stability and democracy, and said Somaliland was ready for full cooperation and multi-sector collaboration with Israel.
Sa’ar, for his part, said the visit carried a message that Israel is determined to advance relations and held what he described as substantive discussions with Irro and senior members of his government.
“The mutual recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries are not directed against anyone,” Sa’ar wrote, adding: “Only Israel will decide whom it recognises and with whom it maintains diplomatic relations.”
Sa’ar said Irro had accepted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s invitation to visit Israel, a step Israel portrayed as part of a broader diplomatic opening. However, he did not provide a timeline for the trip.
Red Sea stakes
The dispute lands amid heightened tensions around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, key shipping corridors that have faced sustained attacks since the Gaza war began, including missile and drone strikes launched from Yemen by the Iran-aligned Houthis.
Somaliland sits along the strategic Gulf of Aden and faces Yemen across a narrow stretch of water, a geography that has long drawn foreign interest in access, logistics and maritime security.
The UAE wields significant influence through investment and operations tied to Berbera’s port and airport, underscoring Somaliland’s strategic pull even without broad diplomatic recognition.
Somalia has repeatedly argued that foreign engagement with Somaliland without federal consent hardens internal divisions and undermines the constitutional order, which it says guarantees Somalia’s territorial unity.
Diplomatic backlash
Somaliland has said it intends to join the Abraham Accords, the normalisation framework launched in 2020 under US mediation that saw several Gulf states establish ties with Israel.
Somaliland has also denied that Israel’s recognition involves any plan to establish Israeli military bases on its territory or to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, Reuters reported.
Somalia’s objections have found backing across several regional groupings. Türkiye condemned Israel’s recognition as unlawful and destabilising in a foreign ministry statement.
Likewise, the OIC issued a condemnation notice rejecting Israel’s move and stressing member-state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Arab League Council also denounced the recognition and reaffirmed Somalia’s territorial integrity, according to a QNA report.
Somalia’s foreign ministry has promoted a joint statement by a cross-regional group of countries rejecting Israel’s recognition and warning of repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
The issue has also reached the UN Security Council, which held an emergency meeting late last month after Israel’s announcement, with most members rejecting Israel’s unilateral move.
