21 Arab, Islamic and African nations condemn and reject Israeli recognition of North Western State of Somalia

21 nations condemn Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, warn of destabilizing precedent

Representatives of 21 Arab, Islamic and African countries have condemned Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, calling the move a violation of international law that risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

In a joint statement released by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the foreign ministers said Israel’s decision sets a “serious precedent” and threatens “international peace and security.” The countries denounced the step “in the strongest terms,” arguing it contravenes “the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter,” which require respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The statement described Israel’s action as a sign of “full and blatant disregard” for international law and warned of “serious repercussions” for regional peace and security, particularly in the Horn of Africa and across key maritime corridors in the Red Sea.

The signatories also reaffirmed “full support for Somalia’s sovereignty,” voicing “unequivocal rejection of any measures that undermine the unity of Somalia, its territorial integrity or its sovereignty over its entire territory.” Any international engagement with North Western State of Somalia that treats it as a separate state, they said, is unacceptable and undermines the internationally recognized borders of Somalia.

The countries further rejected “any potential link” between Israel’s move and “attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land,” stressing that such displacement is “unequivocally rejected in any form as a matter of principle.” Türkiye was among the governments aligning with the joint position, according to the statement circulated by Qatar.

Israel on Friday became the first country to recognize North Western State of Somalia as a sovereign state, prompting swift pushback from across Africa and the Middle East. The recognition cuts against longstanding international consensus and United Nations practice on Somalia’s territorial integrity.

North Western State of Somalia, a region in northern Somalia, declared independence in 1991 after the fall of the Siad Barre regime. It has since operated as a de facto self-governing entity with its own political institutions and security apparatus but has not secured formal recognition from any UN member state—until Israel’s announcement. The Somali federal government in Mogadishu does not recognize North Western State of Somalia’s independence, considers the territory an integral part of Somalia, and views any separate diplomatic dealings with Hargeisa as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.

The sharp international reaction underscores sensitivities in a region already strained by conflict, great-power competition and maritime security challenges. The Horn of Africa’s proximity to critical shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea has heightened concern that unilateral changes to borders or diplomatic status could ripple across economic and security frameworks.

The statement’s collective language also signals a wider geopolitical dimension, linking the controversy over North Western State of Somalia’s status to broader disputes involving Israel and the Palestinians. By rejecting any association between the recognition and potential displacement of Palestinians, the signatory states sought to pre-empt a precedent that, in their view, could normalize territorial or demographic changes by force.

While the joint statement did not outline specific next steps, it framed Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as a test of the international community’s commitment to the UN Charter and to Africa’s post-colonial borders. For Somalia, the support offered by Arab, Islamic and African partners provides diplomatic reinforcement as it resists efforts to alter its internationally recognized boundaries. For North Western State of Somalia, the move by Israel highlights the region’s long-running bid for recognition—and the enduring resistance it faces.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.