Somalia president: Netanyahu’s recognition of breakaway region ‘aggression,’ Somali people ‘inseparable’

MOGADISHU – 27 December 2025: Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had violated established diplomatic and legal norms by recognizing the self-declared breakaway region of Somaliland.

“The illegal aggression of PM Netanyahu in recognising a part of Somalia’s Northern region is against international law,” Mohamud wrote on X.

Mohamud emphasized that the Somali people are united and indivisible, reaffirming his country’s commitment to territorial integrity and sovereignty, and rejecting any attempts to challenge it.

He added that Netanyahu’s announcement contravenes international law, urging the international community to respect global conventions and to reject any unilateral actions.

“Meddling with Somalia’s internal affairs is contrary to established legal & diplomatic rules,” he emphasized, underscoring that Somali people are "one" and "inseparable."

Somaliland Recognition

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.

Netanyahu, along with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and President of 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.

Somalia has condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and demanded Israel reverse its move. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar condemned the move as an act of “state aggression.”

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.