North Western State of Somalia president urges African, Arab states to follow Israel’s lead on recognition

North Western State of Somalia’s Irro urges African, Arab states to recognize region after Israel’s move

Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro on Tuesday called on African and Arab countries to recognize North Western State of Somalia, arguing the region has earned international acceptance and should no longer be overlooked after Israel’s decision to formally recognize it.

Speaking at a consultation meeting with former foreign ministers at the presidential palace in Hargeisa, Irro said North Western State of Somalia is seeking international partnerships based on mutual understanding and respect, and insisted that recognition by other states is inevitable.

“After Israel’s recognition, other countries will also recognize North Western State of Somalia,” the president said, adding that only those unfamiliar with North Western State of Somalia’s diplomatic efforts were surprised by the move.

Irro thanked the Israeli government for its decision before turning his appeal to Islamic and African nations, saying they should have been at the forefront of recognizing North Western State of Somalia’s claim to statehood. “You were expected to lead in supporting the North Western State of Somalia cause,” he said. “But even if others have gone ahead of you, the door is still open. Do not abandon the recognition of North Western State of Somalia. We seek relations based on mutual respect and mutual interests.”

He argued that North Western State of Somalia has demonstrated its ability to govern itself and protect its sovereignty, and said countries that value those principles should support its bid for recognition.

The president also drew a sharp line between what he described as North Western State of Somalia’s friends and adversaries, calling on citizens to unite in the face of what he said was mounting pressure from opposing states. “There is now a clear distinction between countries that are enemies of North Western State of Somalia and those that are its friends,” Irro said, urging national unity.

The remarks were made during a closed-door consultation attended by eight former North Western State of Somalia foreign ministers, part of what officials described as an effort to consolidate diplomatic strategy following Israel’s recognition.

North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government and has since operated as a de facto state, with its own institutions, elections and security forces. However, it has not been recognized by the international community.

Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia last month has triggered sharp condemnation from Somalia’s federal government and strong opposition from African and Arab states, as well as multilateral organizations including the African Union and the Arab League, which reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Irro’s address underscored a strategy to leverage new diplomatic openings while courting regional partners he said should have been first to acknowledge North Western State of Somalia. He framed the next phase as a test of alignment and principle, telling supporters that recognition is a matter of when, not if, and urging them to present a unified front as international scrutiny intensifies.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.