President Mohamud Urges African Union to Reject Foreign Interference After Israel Recognizes North Western State of Somalia

Somalia’s president condemns Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, urges AU to reject external interference

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday urged African Union member states to “firmly reject” external meddling in the continent’s affairs, denouncing Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and international law during the second Italy-Africa Summit in Addis Ababa.

Hassan Sheikh said Africa’s progress must be grounded in respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence — principles anchored in the U.N. Charter and the African Union’s Constitutive Act.

“These principles are not merely aspirational; they are legal obligations that determine our security,” he said. “The actions taken by Israel specifically against our sovereignty directly undermine the international order and must be firmly rejected.”

He warned that external intervention erodes international law, fuels regional instability and damages trust between states.

Israel’s recent recognition of North Western State of Somalia — the self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but lacks broad international recognition — has drawn sharp opposition from Mogadishu and several African and Arab states. Somalia maintains that any move to recognize North Western State of Somalia threatens its territorial integrity and sets a destabilizing precedent on the continent.

Addressing the broader Italy-Africa partnership, Hassan Sheikh recalled that the first Italy-Africa Summit in Rome two years ago aimed to reshape cooperation around Africa’s priorities and self-determination. He said bilateral and multilateral initiatives must align with those goals to deliver tangible gains for citizens.

“From our perspective, Italy-Africa cooperation must prioritize investment in critical infrastructure that promotes stability and sustainable economic growth,” he said, arguing that well-targeted financing in transport, energy and digital connectivity can reduce fragility and open markets across the Horn of Africa.

The president outlined Somalia’s domestic agenda, tying governance and security reforms to economic opportunity and regional integration. His government, he said, is concentrating on efforts to:

• Strengthen social cohesion and rebuild trust in institutions
• Create employment pathways for youth
• Ensure food security and climate-resilient livelihoods
• Integrate Somalia’s economy into regional and global markets

He emphasized that peace and development are inseparable and expressed appreciation for Italy’s continued backing of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, which supports state-building and security transitions.

“Somalia is ready to deepen cooperation with Italy and all partners engaged in the Mattei Plan, guided by trust, responsibility, solidarity and a shared vision for a prosperous Africa,” he said, referring to Rome’s framework for expanded economic ties with African countries.

The summit, hosted by Ethiopia, drew African leaders and senior Italian officials seeking to redefine strategic relations between the continent and Europe. Discussions focused on expanding trade, attracting foreign direct investment and strengthening energy security — areas participants cast as pillars of a renewed partnership capable of delivering stability and shared growth.

For Somalia, Hassan Sheikh’s remarks underscored dual priorities: securing international backing for its territorial integrity amid the North Western State of Somalia dispute, and channeling Italy-Africa engagement into infrastructure and job-creating investments that can lock in hard-won security gains.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.