Somalia Condemns Israel's Embassy Plans in Somaliland
The Federal Government of Somalia declared Israel's appointment of an ambassador and embassy plans in Somaliland illegal and a violation of national sovereignty.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia condemned Israel's accreditation of an ambassador to Hargeisa and the laying of a foundation stone for an embassy in the breakaway region of Somaliland. Mogadishu declared these actions null and void, describing them as a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity.
Somali officials asserted that Hargeisa and the northwestern region remain integral parts of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The government maintained that the establishment of diplomatic missions requires the consent of the sovereign state under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
These developments follow Israel's recognition of Somaliland in December 2025, a move previously rejected by the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Somalia warned that Israel's actions risk escalating tensions in the fragile Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions. The Somali government demanded that Israel immediately reverse its measures and stated it reserves the right to take diplomatic, political, and legal action.
