Somalia: Federal Govt condemns North Western State of Somalia leader’s visit to Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories
MOGADISHU, June 18 – Somalia on Thursday denounced a visit by officials from the breakaway region of North Western State of Somalia to the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, saying the trip ran counter to the country’s constitution, international law and the principle of sovereignty.
In a statement released after the weekly cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the federal government said the visit violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia and flew in the face of international norms governing state sovereignty and the protection of oppressed peoples.
“The Federal Government of Somalia strongly condemns this visit and considers it a clear violation of the Constitution, international law, and principles related to the sovereignty of states and support for oppressed peoples,” the statement said.
For years, Mogadishu has rejected any diplomatic engagement or cooperation involving Israel and North Western State of Somalia, which Somalia insists is part of its own territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on December 26, 2025, that Israel had recognised North Western State of Somalia as an “independent and sovereign state”, making Israel the first and only country to do so.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government, but no United Nations member state had recognised it before Israel’s announcement.
The Somali government says North Western State of Somalia remains an inseparable part of Somalia and maintains that all international agreements and diplomatic dealings involving the region fall solely under the authority of the federal government in Mogadishu.
The latest rebuke comes as tensions rise between Somalia and Israel over deepening contacts between Israeli authorities and North Western State of Somalia officials.
AXADLETM
