22 States Reject Israel’s Somaliland Move, Back Somalia’s Sovereignty

A broad coalition of governments and international organizations has issued a strong and coordinated rejection of Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, describing the move as a serious violation of international law and a direct threat to Somalia’s sovereignty and regional stability.

In a joint position, foreign ministers and official representatives from Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, Yemen, alongside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), condemned Israel’s announcement made on December 26, 2025.

The statement described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland — a self-declared region in northern Somalia — as an unprecedented and unlawful act, warning that it could destabilize the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea corridor, and broader international security.

“This action constitutes a flagrant breach of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly those relating to respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.

The signatories reaffirmed their full and unequivocal support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, rejecting any action that undermines Somalia’s internationally recognized borders.

They warned that recognizing separatist entities within sovereign states sets a dangerous global precedent, one that could fuel fragmentation, conflict, and instability well beyond Somalia.

The group also strongly rejected any attempt to link the Somaliland recognition to forced displacement or resettlement of the Palestinian people, stating that such actions would be categorically unacceptable and contrary to international humanitarian and legal norms.

Analysts say the unusually broad diplomatic alignment underscores growing concern that Israel’s move could exacerbate geopolitical tensions in an already volatile region, complicating counterterrorism efforts and maritime security in one of the world’s most strategic waterways.

Somalia’s federal government has vowed to pursue all available diplomatic, legal, and political measures to counter the recognition, while calling on the international community to uphold established norms governing state sovereignty.

The joint rejection marks one of the largest coordinated diplomatic responses to the Somaliland issue in years, reinforcing Somalia’s position amid mounting international scrutiny.