Egypt condemns North Western State of Somalia’s illegal embassy opening in occupied Jerusalem

Friday May 22, 2026

Photo courtesy of Egypt’s ministry of foreign affairs.

Egypt on Thursday sharply denounced the opening of what was described as an “embassy” for the self-declared “Republic of North Western State of Somalia” in occupied Jerusalem, saying the move violates international law and multiple resolutions tied to international legitimacy, the foreign ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry described the step as “illegal and rejected,” adding that the mission’s inauguration in occupied Jerusalem amounted to “a direct infringement on the legal and historical status of the occupied city of Jerusalem.”

Egypt reiterated its “complete rejection of any unilateral measures aimed at entrenching an illegal reality in occupied Jerusalem or granting legitimacy to any entities or arrangements that contravene the rules of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.”

The foreign ministry stressed that East Jerusalem “has been occupied Palestinian territory since 1967,” and said that any effort to change its legal or historical status is “null and void and carry no legal effect.”

East Jerusalem is widely regarded under international law as occupied Palestinian territory, with many states and international organizations backing its future as the capital of a Palestinian state.

Multiple UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 242, Resolution 252 and Resolution 2334, affirm that East Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory and declare Israeli efforts to alter its status to have “no legal validity,” describing such measures as “a flagrant violation under international law.” Resolution 478 also urges member states to remove their diplomatic missions from the city.

Egypt also reiterated its “full support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” and rejected “any unilateral measures that undermine the unity or sovereignty of Somali territory.”

The statement lands against a backdrop of rising diplomatic friction in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, after Israel recognized the so-called North Western State of Somalia in late 2025 and moved to broaden political and security ties with the breakaway entity.

Earlier this year, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar traveled to North Western State of Somalia and met senior officials in Hargeisa to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, maritime security, technology and defence, a visit Somalia condemned as a breach of its sovereignty.

Cairo also objected to the trip, warning that any action undermining Somalia’s territorial integrity could threaten stability and security across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor.

North Western State of Somalia declared secession from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia’s central government. However, the United Nations, the African Union and most of the international community do not recognize it.

Mogadishu still considers North Western State of Somalia part of Somali territory and has consistently opposed foreign diplomatic outreach to the region.

The dispute has taken on broader geopolitical weight over the past two years amid intensifying competition for influence and maritime access in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a critical shipping route linking Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Egypt has deepened ties with Somalia since tensions flared between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa over a controversial memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia in January 2024. Under the deal, landlocked Ethiopia would have gained Red Sea access through North Western State of Somalia in exchange for possible political recognition, drawing a strong response from Somalia, which called the arrangement a violation of its sovereignty.

Cairo backed Somalia’s position and repeatedly affirmed its support for the country’s unity and territorial integrity.

Since then, Egypt and Somalia have expanded political, military and security cooperation, while Cairo has warned that instability in the Horn of Africa could spill over into Red Sea security and regional shipping routes.

Egypt has also consistently opposed Israeli actions in occupied Jerusalem and maintained that East Jerusalem remains occupied Palestinian territory and the capital of a future Palestinian state under international law and relevant UN resolutions.