Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Somalia’s president has sharply criticised Israel’s decision to recognise the self-declared state of Somaliland, calling it a “blatant violation” of Somalia’s sovereignty and warning that the country will not permit its territory to be used by Israel to pursue regional conflicts.
Speaking at an emergency joint session of parliament on Sunday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing what he described as the most serious breach of Somalia’s sovereignty in the nation’s history. He labelled Israel an “enemy” and urged Somalis to remain calm while standing firm in defence of national unity and independence.
“I call on the Somali people to stay composed and to protect the unity and sovereignty of our country, which is facing this open aggression,” Mohamud said.
Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution declaring Israel’s recognition of Somaliland “null and void.” While largely symbolic—given that Somalia has not exercised control over Somaliland since it declared independence in 1991, a move Mogadishu has never recognised—the resolution warns that any individuals or institutions undermining Somalia’s sovereignty will face prosecution under domestic and international law. It also instructs the government to raise the issue with the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League and other regional organisations.
Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel had established full diplomatic relations with Somaliland, presenting the decision as aligned with the US-brokered Abraham Accords, which normalised Israel’s relations with several Arab states. The move made Israel the first UN member state to formally recognise Somaliland, which has unsuccessfully sought international recognition for more than three decades.
Mohamud accused Israel of attempting to bring Middle Eastern conflicts into the Horn of Africa and pledged that Somalia would not allow its land to be used as a military base to attack other countries. He called on Somalis to put aside clan and regional divisions to confront what he described as an “existential threat” to the country’s unity.
“We must unite our wisdom and strength to defend our sovereignty and existence,” he said, urging Somaliland’s leaders to engage in serious dialogue to preserve Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Prime Minister Hamza Barre told Al Jazeera Arabic that Israel was seeking a strategic foothold in the Horn of Africa and urged it instead to recognise an independent Palestinian state.
Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, defended Israel’s decision, insisting that recognition posed no threat to neighbouring states. He said Somaliland is grounded in Islamic principles of moderation, justice and coexistence, and denied that the move signalled hostility toward any Muslim country or community.
The decision triggered swift international condemnation. A joint statement issued on Saturday by 21 Arab and African countries, along with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, denounced Israel’s recognition as a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement backing Somalia’s position.
Regional leaders, including the presidents of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Djibouti, spoke with Mohamud to reaffirm their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. Eritrea separately called on China to address the matter at the UN Security Council, comparing it to the Taiwan issue.
The European Union urged respect for Somalia’s sovereignty but stopped short of explicitly condemning Israel’s move, instead calling on authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to pursue dialogue.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland comes amid its ongoing war in Gaza, in which more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, while Netanyahu is the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. While it controls much of northwestern Somalia and operates its own government, currency and institutions, parts of its eastern regions remain under administrations loyal to Mogadishu.
Asked on Friday whether the United States would recognise Somaliland, President Donald Trump told the New York Post that it would not, though he said the issue was under review. “Does anyone really know what Somaliland is?” he remarked.
The UN Security Council is expected to take up the issue on Monday.