Egypt, Regional Allies Reject Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

GOOBJOOG NEWS|CAIRO: Egypt has joined Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti in a coordinated diplomatic rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, warning that the move threatens regional stability and undermines core principles of international law.

In a series of phone calls on Friday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty spoke separately with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss what Cairo described as “serious developments” in the Horn of Africa. Central to the discussions was Israel’s recent decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.

According to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the four ministers expressed “complete rejection and condemnation” of Israel’s acknowledgment of Somaliland, stressing that the territory is an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. They reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and rejected what they described as unilateral measures that could weaken the Somali state or destabilize the region.

The ministers also emphasized their support for Somalia’s legitimate state institutions, warning against any efforts to impose “parallel entities” that contradict the country’s unity. Such moves, they said, risk eroding the foundations of stability and governance in Somalia at a sensitive moment in its political and security transition.

In a broader warning, the officials cautioned that recognizing the independence of parts of an existing state sets a “dangerous precedent” with implications beyond the Horn of Africa. Egypt’s statement noted that such actions pose a threat to international peace and security and run counter to established principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, which prioritize respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The talks also reflected wider regional concerns about attempts to impose new political realities outside international legitimacy, with the ministers warning that these could undermine prospects for long-term security, stability and development.

While focused on the Horn of Africa, the Egyptian statement linked the issue to wider regional norms, reiterating a firm rejection of any plans to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their land. Cairo said such proposals are overwhelmingly opposed by the international community and violate established legal and humanitarian principles.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has drawn sharp reactions across the region, with Somalia’s allies framing the move as a challenge to both Somalia’s sovereignty and the post–World War II international order. The coordinated response by Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti underscores growing diplomatic resistance to the decision and signals that the issue is likely to feature prominently in regional and multilateral forums in the coming weeks.