Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has sharply criticised Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, warning that the move poses a serious threat to regional and international stability.
Addressing an emergency session of Somalia’s parliament on Sunday, Mohamud described the announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a direct violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. He said the recognition amounted to “blunt aggression” against the Somali state and its people.
Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. Despite operating with its own currency, security forces and administrative institutions for more than three decades, Somaliland has remained diplomatically isolated, with no international recognition until now.
Mogadishu reacted swiftly, condemning the decision as a deliberate attack on Somalia’s sovereignty. The African Union echoed the concern, while Egypt, Turkey, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation all issued statements rejecting Israel’s move. The European Union also criticised the recognition, and the United States reaffirmed that it continues to recognise Somalia’s territorial integrity, including Somaliland.
In contrast, Taiwan welcomed Israel’s decision. Taipei’s foreign ministry described Israel, Somaliland and Taiwan as “like-minded democratic partners” sharing common values such as democracy, freedom and the rule of law. Taiwan, itself diplomatically isolated and claimed by China, has cultivated ties with Somaliland since 2020, when the two sides opened representative offices in each other’s capitals.
Israel maintains informal but friendly relations with Taiwan, particularly in trade and technology, despite Israel’s official diplomatic ties with Beijing. Recent reports have suggested growing cooperation between Israel and Taiwan, including in defence and technology, as Israel faces increasing diplomatic pressure over the war in Gaza.
Somalia has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. The meeting is expected to take place on Monday, just days before Somalia assumes the rotating presidency of the Security Council on January 1.
Analysts say the recognition could complicate already fragile dynamics in the Horn of Africa, where unresolved territorial disputes, regional rivalries and geopolitical competition continue to shape security and diplomacy.
