Somalia Strongly Condemns Israeli Foreign Minister’s Visit to Hargeisa, Calls It a Violation of Sovereignty

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia has strongly condemned the visit by Israel’s Foreign Minister to Hargeisa, describing it as a blatant and unacceptable violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity.

In an official statement, the Ministry said Hargeisa is an inseparable and integral part of the sovereign territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and any official presence, engagement, or activity conducted within Somalia’s territory without the explicit consent of the Federal Government is illegal, null and void, and carries no legal standing or effect.

The Somali government stressed that the visit represents a serious infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty and constitutes an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of an independent UN member state. It reaffirmed that Somaliland, including Hargeisa, remains part of Somalia’s internationally recognized borders.

The statement further noted that such actions are in clear violation of the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and established norms governing relations between sovereign states, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality of states, and non-interference.

Somalia called on Israel to immediately cease all actions that undermine Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and urged it to fully respect its obligations under international law.

In addition, the Federal Government appealed to the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and all international partners to clearly and unequivocally reaffirm their principled support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and internationally recognized borders.

The Ministry emphasized that Somalia remains committed to peaceful international engagement, constructive diplomacy, and adherence to international law. However, it also underscored Somalia’s right to take all appropriate diplomatic and legal measures, in accordance with international law, to defend its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity.

The statement comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions in the Horn of Africa, following recent developments surrounding Israel’s engagement with Somaliland, which have triggered strong reactions from the Somali government and raised regional and international concerns.