Israel’s recognition of Somaliland slammed across world capitals

Numerous nations, including the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the African Union (AU), are outraged over Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as a separate state.

Somaliland, a Horn of Africa region, became the first country to declare its independence from Somalia in 1991 and has fought for it for decades. Since taking office last year, it has been top priority for the country.

Israel became the first nation to declare that it views Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state” on Friday, adding that it was the first country to do so.

Somalia was pressured by the announcement to refer to the decision as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty that would threaten regional harmony.

The AU continental bloc criticized Israel’s decision in a statement released on Friday, and warned that it “could set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.”

The AU Commission’s President, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, criticized “sorigiously” any initiative or action that seeks to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation, noting that the country is still a fundamental part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

“Dangerous precedent”

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, described Israel’s action as “a flagrant infringement of international law and a flagrant infringement of the state’s sovereignty.”

He warned that any attempt to impose unilateral recognitions would constitute an unacceptable interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and would set a dangerous precedent that would threaten regional and international stability.

The development “a grave violation of international law and a flagrant infringement” of Somalia’s sovereignty, according to the GCC.

In contrast to regional and international efforts to promote regional peace and security in the region, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said in a statement that “this recognition represents a dangerous precedent that will undermine the foundations of stability in the Horn of Africa region and open the door to further tensions and conflicts.”

The Somali national government and Somaliland should engage in dialogue, according to the European Union, which upholds Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The ministers of Somalia, Egypt, Turkiye, and Djibouti also expressed their complete opposition to Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region, stating: “The ministers reiterated their full support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Following a phone call between the two countries’ top diplomats on Friday, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the statement.

Somalia demands that recognition be reversed.

Other nations that criticized Israel’s action included Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and China.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was also rejected by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

Somalia retaliated on Friday by demanding that Israel reconsider its decision to recognize Somaliland as independent, calling the action an “aggression that will never be tolerated.”

However, Somaliland leader Abdullahi praised Israel’s decision as a “historical moment” and claimed that it was the start of a “strategic partnership” in a post on X.

As world leaders weighed in, al-Shabab, a Somalia-based armed group, pledged on Saturday to fight any Israeli “to claim or use parts of Somaliland.”

The organization that has been fighting for decades in the area has declared in a statement, “We will not accept it, and we will fight against it.”

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, made additional comments.

Trump responded, “no,” when the New York Post newspaper inquired whether Washington intended to recognize Somaliland.