Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday, a decision that is against Somalia’s longstanding opposition to its secession.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has pushed for international recognition for decades. Somalia called the decision a ‘deliberate attack’ on its sovereignty that would undermine regional peace.
Meanwhile, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed Qatar’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its security and stability during a phone call H H the Amir received from President of Somalia H E Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday. The Somali president thanked the Amir for rejecting the Israeli decision to recognise the so-called Somaliland.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar in a statement expressed its firm rejection of a joint declaration between the Israel and the Somaliland recognising one another, emphasising that the step was a dangerous precedent in contrast with international law. It said that the move undermines the sovereignty and unity of the Somalia and stressed its support for legitimate Somali state institutions.
Several other countries condemned Israel’s decision. The African Union (AU) rejected the move and warned that it risked setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent. Somaliland “remains an integral part” of Somalia, an AU member, said the pan-African body’s head Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
The Palestinian Authority also rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. It said on X that Israel had previously named Somaliland as a destination for the forced displacement of Palestinian people, particularly from the Gaza Strip, and warned against complicity with such a move.
Turkiye, a close ally of Somalia, condemned the move, saying the initiative by Israel, which aligns with its expansionist policy, constitutes overt interference in Somalia’s domestic affairs. Egypt said its top diplomat had spoken with counterparts from Turkiye, Somalia and Djibouti, who together condemned the move and emphasised full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
