Israel’s recognition of breakaway North Western State of Somalia sparks protests in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the capital late Thursday to protest Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of North Western State of Somalia, waving Somali flags and chanting patriotic songs in a show of national unity.

The rally at Taleh Square in downtown Mogadishu condemned Israel’s move as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Protesters held placards rejecting what they called foreign interference in the Horn of Africa nation’s internal affairs. It was the third major demonstration since Israel announced on Dec. 26 that it recognizes North Western State of Somalia as an independent state.

Israel’s decision has reverberated across the region. The Mogadishu protest came two days after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar traveled to Hargeisa, North Western State of Somalia’s capital, where he said Israel would soon open an embassy and appoint an ambassador.

“We are protesting against the division of our country,” said demonstrator Said Gedi. “This is against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Somalia, and we hope Somalia will stand united.”

Another protester, Abdirahman Abdulkadir, said the crowd intended to send a message of unity. “Somalia cannot be divided,” he said. “We are united by one religion, one culture and the same heritage.”

The demonstration coincided with a televised national address by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who strongly rejected Israel’s decision and urged North Western State of Somalia’s leadership to open dialogue with the federal government in Mogadishu.

“I want to make it clear once again that the Republic of Somalia is a sovereign and united country,” Mohamud said. “Its territory cannot be divided or ceded by any letter written by Israel or signed by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu.”

Mohamud warned that mishandling the dispute could undercut Somalia’s political stability, economic recovery and development. He said secession attempts that succeed typically do so through political negotiations, citing examples such as South Sudan’s 2011 independence from Sudan. He added that Israel has no historical, cultural or economic ties with Somalia.

North Western State of Somalia, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 during the collapse of the central government. It has maintained its own institutions and relative stability but, until Israel’s move, had not been recognized by any U.N. member state.

More than 20 mostly Middle Eastern or African countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have rejected Israel’s recognition, reflecting fears of regional destabilization. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called the move a “dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international peace and security.”

U.S. and Israeli officials told The Associated Press last year that Israel had approached North Western State of Somalia about taking in Palestinians from Gaza as part of then-President Donald Trump’s plan to resettle the territory’s population. Somalia’s foreign ministry says such a proposal has neither been discussed nor considered. Washington has since abandoned the idea, and the U.S. State Department says it continues to recognize Somalia’s territorial integrity, “which includes the territory of North Western State of Somalia.”

The protests underscore the domestic political pressure facing Somalia’s leaders as they navigate a volatile standoff with North Western State of Somalia and an unusually public diplomatic challenge from Israel. While Mogadishu has appealed for calm and negotiations, demonstrators at Taleh Square insisted the country’s borders are not up for debate.

“We want the world to hear us,” Gedi said. “Somalia stands as one.”

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.