African Envoys Reject Foreign Moves Undermining Somalia’s Territorial Integrity

GOOBJOOG NEWS | PRETORIA: African ambassadors meeting in South Africa on Friday voiced strong opposition to what they described as foreign interference threatening Somalia’s territorial integrity, reaffirming support for the country’s sovereignty and unity.

Somalia’s ambassador to Southern African nations, Mohamed Sheikh Issak, told the gathering in Pretoria that any external action recognising or legitimising breakaway regions in northern Somalia would violate international law and undermine regional stability.

The diplomats discussed reports of Israel’s alleged recognition of parts of northern Somalia, a move they said would set a dangerous precedent for Africa by encouraging secessionist claims and weakening established borders.

“Any attempt to fragment Somalia is unacceptable and runs counter to the United Nations Charter and international legal principles,” Issak said, warning that such actions risk exporting geopolitical tensions from the Middle East into the Horn of Africa.

Participants said the preservation of Somalia’s territorial integrity, including control over its land and airspace, was a collective responsibility for African states and the African Union. They agreed that recognition of separatist entities would fuel instability beyond Somalia’s borders.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of continental solidarity with Somalia and a call on the international community to respect internationally recognised borders and avoid actions that could destabilise the region.

Somalia’s government has repeatedly said it will oppose any foreign decisions it views as violating its sovereignty, urging partners to engage through established legal and diplomatic frameworks.