Egypt Slams Israel’s North Western State of Somalia Envoy as “Flagrant Violation” of Law

ANTALYA, Turkey — Egypt has sharply denounced Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia and the appointment of a diplomatic envoy there, with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty calling the move a “flagrant violation” of international law during talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, as Cairo deepens its political and military backing for Mogadishu amid changing power dynamics in the Horn of Africa.

Acting under instructions from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Abdelatty said Egypt stands firmly behind Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He rejected any unilateral steps that weaken the Somali state, pointing in particular to Israel’s December 2025 decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia — the first UN member state to do so since the region declared independence on its own in 1991.

“Stability in Somalia remains critical to the security of the Horn of Africa and is closely linked to Egypt’s national security,” Abdelatty said, adding that Cairo is committed to supporting Mogadishu through military, security and humanitarian assistance.

The talks underscored the rapid expansion of Egyptian-Somali ties. Since early 2025, the two countries have elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, with Egypt relocating its embassy to Mogadishu, launching direct EgyptAir flights and signing a military cooperation protocol in August 2024.

Abdelatty also pressed the case for stable financing for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Egyptian troops are expected to join the mission, which is viewed as both a counterweight to regional rivals and a reinforcement for Somalia’s counterterrorism campaign.

President Mohamud, for his part, thanked Egypt for its continued support and said Somalia was ready to broaden cooperation in ways that advance the interests of both countries.

The dispute over Israel’s outreach to North Western State of Somalia has intensified regional tensions. Israel has moved to put ties on a more formal footing, including a visit by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Hargeisa in early 2026, even as the African Union and United Nations continue to treat North Western State of Somalia as part of Somalia.

Beyond security, the Egyptian minister called for stronger commercial ties, with particular focus on expanding Egyptian pharmaceutical and industrial exports to Somali markets.

AXADLETM