Somaliland Recalls Envoy from Djibouti After Liaison Office Closure

GOOBJOOG NEWS|HARGEISA: Somaliland has recalled its representative to Djibouti for consultations, a move that follows Djibouti’s decision to shut down the Somaliland liaison office in the country, citing Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the representative had been recalled to Hargeisa “as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements and in line with established diplomatic practice,” without giving further details.

Djibouti’s action came after Somaliland announced diplomatic ties with Israel, a development that triggered strong reactions across the region. Djibouti became the first country in the Horn of Africa to publicly reject Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, arguing that the move violated international law and undermined the unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Following the closure of the liaison office, Somaliland authorities had earlier summoned their envoy from Djibouti, signaling a sharp downturn in relations between the two sides. The latest recall formalizes that rupture and places bilateral ties at their lowest point in recent years.

While Somaliland maintains that it has the right to conduct independent foreign relations, Djibouti has consistently aligned itself with Somalia’s federal government and regional bodies in defending Somalia’s territorial integrity.

There was no immediate comment from Djibouti on Somaliland’s latest statement. It remains unclear whether the recall will lead to further diplomatic measures or open the door to behind-the-scenes efforts to de-escalate tensions.

The development adds to the growing regional fallout from Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, an issue that continues to reshape diplomatic alignments in the Horn of Africa.