IGAD Reaffirms Support for Somalia’s Territorial Integrity as Israel-Somaliland Ties Deepen

GOOBJOOG NEWS | DJIBOUTI: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity amid growing diplomatic ties between Israel and Somaliland.

In a statement, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said it remained firmly committed to the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia in line with its founding treaty, the African Union Constitutive Act and the United Nations Charter.

The regional bloc said it had taken note of reports regarding the opening of a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem by what it described as Somalia’s northern regions and reiterated its longstanding position that Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity must be fully respected.

IGAD warned that any actions that undermine Somalia’s sovereignty could heighten tensions and negatively affect peace, stability and regional cooperation across the Horn of Africa.

The statement comes days after Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” visited Israel, where he held talks with senior Israeli officials and oversaw the opening of Somaliland’s first diplomatic mission in Jerusalem. The visit followed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in late 2025, making it the first United Nations member state to formally recognize the territory as an independent country.

During the visit, Somaliland and Israel signed agreements covering cooperation in agriculture, water management, technology, investment, infrastructure and security. Somaliland officials have described the agreements as a significant step in their long-running quest for international recognition.

The developments have drawn a sharp response from Somalia’s federal government, which says any diplomatic engagement with Somaliland outside the framework of the Federal Government violates Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Earlier this week, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on international organizations, including the United Nations, African Union, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and IGAD, to uphold Somalia’s internationally recognized borders and reject actions that could undermine the country’s unity.

The dispute has added a new dimension to the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa, where Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and near the Bab al-Mandab Strait has attracted growing international interest amid heightened competition for influence along one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.

Despite Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, the African Union, United Nations, IGAD and the vast majority of the international community continue to recognize Somalia within its internationally recognized borders.

IGAD’s intervention underscores growing regional concern that the dispute could further complicate political and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa at a time when governments are seeking to preserve stability amid shifting geopolitical alliances and ongoing regional conflicts.