Egypt, Kuwait say Israeli recognition of 'Somaliland' threatens Horn of Africa stability

CAIRO – 27 December 2025: Egypt and Kuwait on Saturday expressed categorical rejection of Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of "Somaliland," warning that the move threatens stability in the Horn of Africa.

In a phone call, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Al-Yahya reaffirmed their firm support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate institutions, according to an Egyptian foreign ministry statement.

The two ministers said such unilateral steps constitute a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, and pose a direct threat to the foundations of stability in the Horn of Africa.

Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognise self-declared Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, dismissing Somalia’s longstanding rejection of any move toward secession.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government but has not been internationally recognised and is considered by Mogadishu and the international community to be part of Somalia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and President of so-called Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, signed a joint declaration described by Netanyahu's office as being concluded “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.”

The Abraham Accords are US-brokered agreements signed in 2020 to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab countries.

Israel's recognition of Somaliland comes months after reports unveiled alleged Israeli contacts with the breakaway region to take in Palestinians in Gaza as part of a US-Israeli plan earlier this year to displace all Gazans permanently.

The plan has faced Arab and global rejection.

Countries including Egypt, Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti have all voiced categorical rejection of Israel’s decision, reiterating their full support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The African Union also expressed rejection of any initiative or action aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entity, stressing that the region remains an integral part of Somalia.