Mogadishu (Somalia Today) — Somalia has declared Israel’s reported recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region “null and void,” setting off a fast-moving diplomatic backlash involving the African Union, the Arab League, Turkey, and Egypt.
Israel officially recognised the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent and sovereign nation on Friday, a move Israeli officials framed as a major diplomatic breakthrough with potential regional implications.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” formalised the step during a video conference, signing a mutual declaration to establish full diplomatic ties, according to statements from both sides.
Israel said the agreement paves the way for the immediate exchange of ambassadors and the opening of embassies, and that planned cooperation will focus on agriculture, technology, and security.
In a strongly worded decree issued Friday, the Federal Government of Somalia condemned what it called an “unlawful step” by Israel to recognise the northern region. Mogadishu considers Somaliland an integral, inseparable part of its territory.
The government said it will oppose the move through all available legal and diplomatic channels. It also warned that the decision violates Somalia’s Provisional Constitution and the Charter of the United Nations.
Legal challenge
“The Federal Government of Somalia categorically and unequivocally rejects the deliberate attack on its sovereignty,” the Office of the Prime Minister said.
Officials stressed that no external actor has the authority to change Somalia’s borders. They added that any arrangement aimed at weakening Somali unity is “without any legal or political effect.”
Beyond the diplomatic dispute, Mogadishu raised urgent security concerns. It warned that Israel’s move could pull Middle East tensions into the Horn of Africa.
The government said it will not tolerate foreign military bases or security arrangements that could draw Somalia into “proxy conflicts.” In addition, security officials cautioned that wider instability could strengthen insurgent groups.
Somalia also argued that fracturing the region’s political order creates “enabling conditions” for groups such as Al-Shabaab and ISIS. In that scenario, officials said, militants could exploit uncertainty and disrupt ongoing stabilisation efforts.
Security fears
The fallout quickly spread beyond Mogadishu, as regional and international partners moved to isolate the decision.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned the recognition as “provocative and unacceptable.” In a statement from Cairo, he called it an “Israeli assault on the sovereignty of an Arab and African state.”
He further accused Israel of working with third parties to destabilise the region. At the same time, he cited what he described as Israel’s “grave violations” against the Palestinian people.
Turkey, a close partner of Somalia, echoed the criticism. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the recognition as another “unlawful action” by the Netanyahu government, and said it risks fueling instability beyond the region.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said the move amounts to an “explicit intervention in Somalia’s internal affairs.” He also reiterated Ankara’s support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The African Union weighed in on legal and political grounds, describing the recognition as a threat to the continent’s core principles that underpin stability.
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed the bloc’s “unwavering commitment” to Somalia’s unity.
He cited the 1964 OAU resolution regarding the sanctity of borders inherited at independence, warning that any attempt to redraw boundaries sets a “dangerous precedent” with far-reaching implications for peace across the continent.
Regional pushback
Behind the scenes, regional capitals began coordinating a unified response.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held urgent phone calls Friday with Somalia’s Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, and Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. The talks aimed to align positions and craft a shared message.
According to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the officials agreed on a “total rejection” of unilateral measures that threaten Somalia’s sovereignty.
In Hargeisa, Somaliland’s presidency described the recognition as validation of its long campaign for international legitimacy.
It said Israel had “officially recognised the independence of the Republic of Somaliland,” and portrayed the declaration as the start of a “new and historic chapter” for external cooperation on security and economic development.
Somaliland has maintained de facto self-rule since it declared independence in 1991, following the collapse of the Siad Barre government.
It has operated its own institutions, currency, and security forces for more than three decades, but it has not previously secured formal recognition from a UN member state.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the agreement followed “extensive and ongoing dialogue” over the past year, and instructed his ministry to move quickly to institutionalise ties.
He also pointed to sectors such as water management, agriculture, and technology as early areas of cooperation.
Israeli officials also thanked Mossad Director David Barnea for his contribution to the deal, in language that suggested security coordination played a role in the run-up to the announcement.
They also emphasised that respect for territorial integrity is a pillar of the international system, and cannot be bypassed “under any pretext.”
The Palestinian cause
The dispute has also reinforced Mogadishu’s alignment with the Palestinian cause. In its rejection of Israel’s move, the Somali government reiterated its “unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” including self-determination.
Somalia also rejected “occupation, forced displacement, and demographic engineering.” Officials signalled that they view the Somaliland recognition as part of a broader pattern of disregard for international norms.
As tensions rise, the Federal Government urged Somali citizens to remain “united and vigilant.”
While it did not announce immediate retaliatory steps, Mogadishu said it remains determined to pursue “all necessary diplomatic, political, and legal measures” to defend the country’s borders.
