Mogadishu Rejects Israel’s Somaliland Recognition

29 Dec 2025 — 2 min read

Somalia responds to Israel’s Somaliland recognition

Dec 28, 2025 — Somalia’s institutions and regional partners reject recognition move, mobilize diplomatic and security responses

Parliament rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland — The Federal Parliament met in an extraordinary joint session and unanimously adopted a resolution declaring Israel’s move “null and void,” condemning the recognition as a violation of international law and directing the government to transmit the resolution to the UN, AU and IGAD. (Primary source: Somali Parliament unanimously rejects… (SONNA))
Coordinated executive push — President Hassan Sheikh held consultative talks with several Federal Member State presidents and the Banadir governor, briefing them on diplomatic and legal steps planned to defend Somalia’s sovereignty and urging national cohesion. (Also from: President Hassan Sheikh holds consultative meeting (SONNA))
Diplomatic front across regional and Arab bodies — Somalia’s envoy at the Arab League rejected the Israeli declaration at an emergency meeting in Cairo and warned of risks to regional stability. Several regional actors have publicly aligned with Mogadishu’s position. (Also from: Somalia rejects Israel’s recognition claims (SONNA))
Why it matters: The legislative, executive and diplomatic responses show Somalia mobilizing domestic and international mechanisms to block what it views as an unprecedented challenge to its territorial integrity.

East African Community reaffirms Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, calling for adherence to regional and international law (Source: EAC reaffirms unity (SONNA)).
Nigeria issued a statement backing Somalia’s sovereignty and warned against recognizing separatist entities, citing UN and AU charters (Source: Nigeria reaffirms support (SONNA)).
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry condemned the Israeli recognition, calling it an attempt to divide an Islamic country and asserting no legal validity (Source: Afghanistan condemns recognition (SONNA)).
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre told Al Jazeera the recognition is “null and void,” described it as an attack on Somali unity, and said Mogadishu is pursuing urgent diplomatic measures (Source: PM condemns recognition (SONNA)).

Somali National Army reported killing 15 Al-Shabaab militants in planned operations near Moora Gaabey, about 30 km northeast of Hudur in Bakool region (Source: SNA kills 15 militants (SONNA)).

Somali Stars Night 2026 announced for July 25 in Miami Beach, expected to draw 700+ diaspora attendees for storytelling and professional panels (Source: Somali Stars Night 2026 (SONNA)).

Parliament’s extraordinary session opened with Quranic recitation and speeches from both chambers before the President’s address, underscoring the ceremonial seriousness of the gathering (Source: Parliament convenes extraordinary session (SONNA)).
President Hassan Sheikh personally briefed state leaders in Mogadishu and showed photos of the consultative meeting, reflecting a coordinated political front (Source: Consultative meeting (SONNA)).
On the diplomatic front, Somalia’s ambassador raised the issue at an emergency Arab League meeting in Cairo, signalling immediate multilateral engagement (Source: Arab League address (SONNA)).
Security operations continue in Bakool, where forces targeted Al-Shabaab hideouts and reported eliminating senior operatives—an ongoing ground-level security effort (Source: SNA operation (SONNA)).

Official transmission of the parliamentary resolution to the UN, AU and IGAD and any formal responses from those bodies.
Follow-up diplomatic statements or actions from major regional powers and the UN; look for unified measures or sanctions language.
Domestic security updates: any escalation tied to the diplomatic crisis or continued operations against Al-Shabaab in Bakool and neighbouring regions.
International legal steps Mogadishu may take—court filings or legal notices referenced by the government.

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA)

Compiled from public reporting; links above.