Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly criticised Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, warning that the move poses a serious threat to regional and global stability. Speaking during an emergency parliamentary session on Sunday, Mohamud described the recognition as a direct challenge to Somalia’s security and territorial integrity.
Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland on Friday following an announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision has triggered sharp reactions from Mogadishu and several regional and international actors. According to President Mohamud, the move undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and risks destabilising an already fragile region.
Mohamud told lawmakers that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland “is (a) threat to the security and stability of the world and the region.” He went further to accuse Israel of violating Somalia’s national unity, saying the decision “is tantamount to a blunt aggression against the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the unity of the people of the Somali Republic.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. Since then, it has operated as a self-proclaimed republic with its own governing institutions, including a currency, passports, and security forces. The region also holds a strategic position along the Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
Despite maintaining relative stability compared to other parts of Somalia, Somaliland has struggled for decades to gain international recognition. Most countries and international bodies continue to regard it as part of the Somali Republic, in line with the principle of preserving existing borders in Africa.
Somalia’s federal government reacted swiftly and angrily to Israel’s announcement. Officials in Mogadishu denounced the move as a “deliberate attack” on the country’s sovereignty. The African Union also expressed strong opposition, reinforcing its long-standing position against unilateral secession and external recognition of breakaway regions.
The backlash extended beyond Somalia and Africa. Egypt, Turkey, and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council all condemned Israel’s decision, citing concerns over regional security and political stability. The Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also issued a statement rejecting the recognition and affirming its support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.
Analysts warn that the decision could complicate diplomatic relations in the Horn of Africa, a region already facing multiple security and political challenges. Tensions surrounding borders, statehood, and external influence remain sensitive, and any shift in recognition policies risks triggering wider disputes.
As reactions continue to unfold, Somalia’s leadership has called on the international community to uphold international law and respect the country’s sovereignty. For now, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has opened a new chapter of diplomatic tension, with potential implications far beyond Somalia’s borders.
By Lucky Anyanje