Somalia’s bicameral parliament on Sunday adopted a resolution condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, rejecting the move as illegal and reaffirming Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Members of both the House of the People and the Upper House approved the six-point resolution in response to Israel’s announcement last week that it had recognised Somaliland as an independent state, a declaration Somalia has described as null and void.
The resolution rejected all claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Somaliland, stating that no individual state or government has the authority to divide Somalia’s internationally recognised territory under any circumstances.
Parliamentarians said the decision violated international law and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and African Union agreements that safeguard the territorial integrity of sovereign states.
The resolution holds Israel and any other states that support the recognition accountable for what it described as violations of Somalia’s sovereignty, warning that such actions risk destabilising the Horn of Africa.
Somalia’s parliament urged the federal government to immediately submit the resolution to international and regional bodies, including the United Nations, African Union, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the East African Community, seeking diplomatic and legal support.
“The unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia are non-negotiable,” the resolution said, according to a copy reviewed by local media.
The Federal Government of Somalia has separately condemned Israel’s move, describing it as an unauthorised and secessionist action that carries no legal or political validity.
Israel announced on Dec. 26 that it had recognised Somaliland, a self-governing region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognised by the United Nations and most of the international community.
Somaliland has maintained its own government, security forces and electoral processes for more than three decades, but Somalia insists the region remains an integral part of the federal state.
The Israeli decision has triggered strong reactions across Africa and the Middle East. Several Arab, African and Muslim-majority countries, along with regional organisations, have reaffirmed support for Somalia’s unity and warned against setting precedents that could encourage secessionist movements.
The issue is expected to be raised at the United Nations Security Council, where Somalia is due to assume the rotating presidency in early January, giving Mogadishu procedural leverage to push the matter onto the international agenda.
Israel has not responded publicly to Somalia’s parliamentary resolution.
