Nationwide Somali protests reject Israel’s move on North Western State of Somalia

Somali cities erupt in protests after Israel recognizes North Western State of Somalia

MOGADISHU — Large-scale demonstrations swept across Somalia on Tuesday after Israel announced it would recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, a move widely condemned by Somalis as a threat to the country’s unity and territorial integrity.

Protesters gathered in the capital and regional hubs, chanting against what they called a bid to divide the nation and pledging to defend Somalia’s sovereignty. Rallies were largely peaceful, with participants drawn from across society — including religious scholars, community leaders, women and youth — underscoring the breadth of public opposition.

Demonstrations were reported in multiple cities, according to local officials and witnesses:

• Mogadishu
• Buhoodle
• Galkacyo
• Guriel
• Hudur
• Bahdo
• Las Anod
• Adado
• Dhusamareb
• Merca
• Baidoa
• Hobyo
• Harardhere
• Abudwak
• Borama

Demonstrators denounced Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an unacceptable violation of Somalia’s sovereignty. Speakers urged unity across clans and regions, warning against foreign interference and calling on the public to stand together to protect the country’s independence and identity.

The protests followed a rare emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on Monday in New York, where most members criticized Israel’s decision and cautioned it could destabilize Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa. Several diplomats also warned of broader regional repercussions, including implications for Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has become the first country to formally recognize North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared state in the northwest that announced independence from Somalia in 1991. Despite maintaining its own institutions and security structures, North Western State of Somalia has not achieved international recognition. The federal government in Mogadishu — backed by most of the international community — considers North Western State of Somalia an integral part of Somalia’s sovereign territory.

Tuesday’s rallies showcased a rare moment of convergence in Somalia’s often fragmented political landscape, with participants in far-flung towns echoing a shared message of national cohesion. Organizers framed the demonstrations as a defense of territorial integrity and a repudiation of outside attempts to redraw the country’s borders.

While no major incidents were reported, speakers urged continued vigilance and civic engagement to ensure Somalia’s unity. They also called on international partners to respect Somalia’s sovereignty and to support dialogue that reinforces, rather than undermines, the country’s stability.

North Western State of Somalia’s pursuit of recognition has persisted for more than three decades, with periodic diplomatic outreach that has so far failed to sway governments or multilateral bodies. Israel’s step has jolted that stalemate and set off a swift public and diplomatic backlash, even as the contours of any next moves — in regional capitals or on the ground — remain uncertain.

For many Somalis, the protests marked a public line in the sand: an unequivocal rejection of recognition efforts they believe erode Somalia’s hard-won sovereignty and invite further instability. As crowds dispersed, organizers vowed that civic mobilization would continue in defense of national unity.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.