Somalia has issued a fierce condemnation of Israel's decision to formally recognize the breakaway region of Somaliland, labeling the move a direct threat to peace and security across the Horn of Africa. The announcement, made by Israeli authorities on Friday, December 26, 2025, has ignited a major diplomatic row and drawn widespread international criticism.
Somalia's Forceful Rejection and Warning
Addressing an emergency session of parliament on Sunday, December 28, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared Israel's action a "blunt aggression" against his nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He argued that the recognition dangerously emboldens secessionist movements not only in Somalia but potentially around the world.
"The violations of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and his attempts to divide the Federal Republic of Somalia is a threat to the security and stability of the world and the region," President Mohamud stated. He further cautioned Israel against attempting to relocate its Middle Eastern conflicts to Somali soil, asserting that Somalia would never permit the establishment of foreign military bases used to attack other nations.
International Backlash and Strategic Stakes
The decision has met with swift disapproval from multiple international bodies and regional powers. The African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and nations including Egypt and Turkey have all condemned Israel's move. The European Union, while calling for dialogue, reiterated the importance of respecting Somalia's sovereignty.
Analysts suggest Israel's outreach to Somaliland is driven by strategic interests. The self-declared republic occupies a crucial position on the Gulf of Aden, offering potential access to the Red Sea. This could provide Israel with a strategic vantage point, particularly for operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen, whom Israel has targeted since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
Unresolved Issues and Regional Implications
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has operated with its own government, currency, and military but has remained largely unrecognized internationally. The region has generally been more stable than the rest of Somalia, which continues to grapple with attacks from the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Adding another layer of controversy, the crisis touches on the Palestinian issue. President Mohamud forcefully rejected reports from several months ago suggesting Somaliland was among territories willing to host Palestinians displaced by Israel. "Somalia will never accept the people of Palestine to be forcibly evicted from their rightful land to a faraway place," he told lawmakers.
This diplomatic recognition by Israel represents the most significant international breakthrough for Somaliland in decades, but it comes at the cost of severely escalating tensions with the federal government in Mogadishu and unsettling the delicate political balance in the Horn of Africa.
