Somalia Condemns Israeli Map Depicting Country as Divided

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The Federal Republic of Somalia has strongly condemned a map presented during a recent press briefing by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing Israel of misrepresenting the country’s internationally recognised borders and undermining its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the Federal Government rejected the map, which it said portrayed Somalia as a fragmented state, describing the depiction as a violation of international law and established diplomatic principles.

The government reaffirmed that Somaliland and Puntland remain integral parts of Somalia, insisting that no foreign government has the authority to redraw or challenge the country’s internationally recognised boundaries.

“Somali territories, including Somaliland and Puntland, are integral and inseparable parts of the unified Somali nation,” the ministry said.

The diplomatic protest follows growing tensions between Mogadishu and Israel over Somaliland’s political status and broader concerns about foreign involvement in Somalia’s internal affairs.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated with its own government and security institutions, although Mogadishu continues to regard the territory as part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Puntland, established as an autonomous administration in 1998, has also maintained its own governing institutions but has historically operated within the framework of a federal Somali state, despite recurring political disagreements with Mogadishu.

The Somali government said its territorial integrity was protected under the country’s constitution, the United Nations Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which emphasises respect for the sovereignty and internationally recognised borders of member states.

Mogadishu warned that attempts by foreign officials or institutions to portray Somali territories as separate political entities were unacceptable and could undermine regional stability.

The government also called on international partners and organisations to respect Somalia’s independence and territorial unity, reaffirming its commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty through diplomatic and constitutional means.

The statement reflects Somalia’s longstanding opposition to external recognition of breakaway territories and comes amid heightened diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the political future of Somaliland and relations between Mogadishu and foreign governments.

The ministry did not announce any specific diplomatic measures against Israel but said the Federal Government would continue to uphold its constitutional responsibility to protect Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.