Somali Opposition Rejects Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland, Warns of Regional Fallout

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia’s main opposition bloc has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, calling the move a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability in the Horn of Africa.

In a statement issued on December 26, the Somali Salvation Forum said the recognition undermines Somalia’s unity and contravenes international law, warning that it could inflame tensions across the region and weaken existing diplomatic frameworks in Africa.

The opposition said Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, stressing that no external actor has the authority to recognize or legitimize what it described as a breakaway administration. It argued that Israel’s move runs counter to the principles of territorial integrity upheld by the African Union, the United Nations, and regional bodies including IGAD.

“The borders, sovereignty, and political unity of Somalia are non-negotiable,” the statement said, adding that any recognition of Somaliland amounts to interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.

The opposition further warned that the decision risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa at a time when the region is already facing complex security, humanitarian, and geopolitical challenges. It said the move could set a dangerous precedent by encouraging unilateral actions that bypass African-led mechanisms for resolving political disputes.

The statement urged the African Union, the Arab League, and the international community to reject Israel’s recognition and to reaffirm support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. It also called on African states in particular to maintain a unified position against what it described as attempts to redraw borders outside established legal and diplomatic processes.

In a notable section of the statement, the opposition reiterated Somalia’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause, linking its position to broader principles of international law, self-determination, and opposition to occupation.

The Somali Salvation Forum appealed to Somali citizens to remain united in defending the country’s sovereignty, saying national cohesion is critical in the face of what it described as external pressure and diplomatic challenges.

Israel announced earlier on Friday that it had formally recognized Somaliland following high-level engagements with the region’s leadership, a move that has drawn swift condemnation from Mogadishu and triggered strong reactions across the Arab world and Africa.

There has been no immediate response from Israel to the opposition’s statement.