OIC to Hold Emergency Meeting on Somalia Following Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has announced that an emergency meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers will be convened on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

According to the OIC, the extraordinary session will focus on the escalating situation in the Federal Republic of Somalia, particularly following Israel’s controversial announcement recognizing Somaliland as an independent state — a move that has drawn strong condemnation from the Somali government and widespread criticism from many countries.

The OIC said the meeting aims to unify the position of Islamic countries and express clear and full support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in line with international law and previous resolutions adopted by the organization.

Tensions have intensified in recent days after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Hargeisa, where he held meetings with Somaliland authorities. The Federal Government of Somalia described the visit as illegal and characterized it as an “unauthorized intervention” within Somali territory.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, stated that the minister met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) and announced commitments to provide assistance in water development, healthcare, and education, as well as cooperation in defense-related areas.

The Somali government has firmly rejected these actions, reiterating that any official engagement or visit involving Somaliland is unlawful unless it has the explicit consent of the Federal Government of Somalia. Mogadishu has repeatedly emphasized that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia’s internationally recognized territory.

In parallel, the Arab League has also declared its clear opposition to any official or unofficial relations with Somaliland that fall outside the framework of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity. The League warned that such actions pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability, particularly in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the wider Horn of Africa.

The OIC emergency meeting is expected to produce a unified stance reaffirming support for Somalia and rejecting any actions that undermine its sovereignty. Political observers note that the outcome of the meeting could play a significant role in shaping regional and international responses to the crisis.

As diplomatic activity intensifies, both Somali and international attention remains focused on the decisions and resolutions that will emerge from the upcoming OIC session, which is widely seen as a key test of collective Islamic solidarity on issues of sovereignty and international law.