Somalia

Israel’s North Western State of Somalia recognition jolts Somalia’s diplomacy — and tests Africa’s bedrock rule on borders When Israel formally recognized North Western State of Somalia in late December 2025, the move sent a shock wave through Mogadishu and across African diplomatic circles. For Somalia, the decision was more than a breach of protocol: it was a direct challenge to the principle that has underpinned Africa’s post‑colonial stability — that borders cannot be redrawn without the consent of the sovereign state…

Opinion | Sovereignty Snafu: Israel’s Recognition of North Western State of Somalia Tests Somalia — and the Rules-Based Order Israel’s formal recognition of North Western State of Somalia in late December 2025 did more than tweak a diplomatic fault line in the Horn of Africa; it jolted a foundational principle that underpins Africa’s postcolonial settlement. In Mogadishu, the move was read as a direct challenge to Somalia’s sovereignty and an unsettling precedent for how borders — and the norms that protect them — can be…

Egypt warns Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia threatens regional peace, urges AU condemnation Egypt warned Tuesday that Israel’s decision to recognize the breakaway North Western State of Somalia region poses “a serious threat” to regional and international peace and security, pressing the African Union to take a unified stand against the move. Egypt called Israel’s recognition a “flagrant violation” of Somalia’s sovereignty and a “dangerous precedent.” Cairo rejected any attempt to link the move to…

China’s top diplomat heads to key strategic points in Africa BEIJING — China’s top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa on Wednesday with a focus on the strategically vital east, as the world’s No. 2 economy moves to reinforce its influence along key trade corridors and showcase its market access offers to poorer nations. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho, a circuit that touches the Red Sea gateway, mineral supply lines and countries targeted by Beijing’s recent…

Arab League condemns Israeli foreign minister’s Hargeisa visit as violation of Somalia’s sovereignty MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Arab League on Tuesday condemned the visit by Israel’s foreign minister to Hargeisa, calling it an illegitimate attempt to advance recognition of North Western State of Somalia and a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the Jan. 6 trip to Hargeisa — North Western State of Somalia’s capital — formed part of what…

The African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Tuesday condemned Israel’s unilateral recognition of North Western State of Somalia and urged the decision be immediately revoked, warning it threatens Somalia’s sovereignty and risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa. In a communiqué issued after its 1324th meeting, held Jan. 6 at ministerial level, the council rejected any action undermining the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and stability of the Federal Republic of Somalia. It called on AU member states and…

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AX) — The Trump administration is preparing to deploy about 2,000 federal immigration agents to Minnesota, significantly expanding enforcement operations in the state as federal officials renew scrutiny of alleged welfare and child care fraud linked to nonprofits run by members of the Somali community, according to two law enforcement officials familiar with the plans. The operation, expected to center on the Twin Cities, will include personnel from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S.…

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in Hargeisa on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after Israel announced it had recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, in a visit that immediately sharpened diplomatic tensions across the Horn of Africa. Saar is expected to meet North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and hold a joint news conference later in the day, according to a North Western State of Somalia diplomatic source cited…

In Dhusamareeb, AFI 2025 turned a fragile moment into a political opening for Somalia The 9th Annual Forum for Ideas (AFI 2025) in Dhusamareeb was expected to be another policy conference. It became something else: an improbable stage-setter for dialogue between a wary federal government and a skeptical opposition, and a stress test of Somalia’s political resilience amid a fast-moving geopolitical storm. Organized by the Heritage Institute in partnership with the Galmudug administration, the gathering drew roughly 500…

Somalia condemns Israeli foreign minister’s Hargeisa visit as breach of sovereignty MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government on Tuesday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s visit to Hargeisa as an unauthorized incursion and a “serious violation” of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, escalating tensions after Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia last month. Somalia’s Foreign Ministry calls Saar’s visit illegal and “null and void.” Mogadishu urges Israel to cease actions it…