Saudi Arabia warns against foreign interference in Somalia as Israel’s North Western State of Somalia move draws backlash
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its backing for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity on Tuesday, rejecting any foreign interference in the Horn of Africa nation’s internal affairs and opposing actions that could undermine its territorial integrity.
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The position was outlined at a meeting of the Saudi Cabinet chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, which endorsed the outcomes of an extraordinary session of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah convened to address the situation in Somalia.
In a statement following the cabinet session, the kingdom said it rejects measures that conflict with Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, including efforts to divide the country or establish parallel administrations.
The remarks come amid growing regional and Islamic opposition to Israel’s recent move to recognize North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has not won international recognition.
Saudi Arabia’s stance tracked closely with comments from Egypt. Earlier, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty condemned Israel’s step, calling it a violation of international law and an infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity. In remarks released Thursday, Abdelatty also emphasized Cairo’s plan to deepen cooperation with Somalia across multiple sectors.
- Security and counterterrorism
- Trade and investment
- Infrastructure and transport
- Electricity and renewable energy
- Pharmaceuticals and health
- Agriculture and food security
Saudi Arabia and Egypt were among the first to publicly reject Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, positions officials say reflect a broader regional consensus supporting Somalia’s unity and internationally recognized borders.
Somalia’s federal government has mounted a diplomatic push to counter recognition initiatives, insisting that North Western State of Somalia remains an integral part of the Somali state under international law.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s extraordinary meeting in Jeddah underscored those messages, as member states discussed Somalia’s stability, territorial integrity and the importance of coordinated support. Saudi officials said the kingdom’s position aligns with longstanding principles governing respect for sovereignty and noninterference across the region.
While North Western State of Somalia has maintained its own institutions and security forces for decades, the territory’s statehood bid has not been accepted by the United Nations or the African Union, and most governments continue to recognize Mogadishu as the sole authority. The recent diplomatic friction has renewed attention on those fault lines and prompted calls from regional capitals to prevent any moves that could inflame tensions or set destabilizing precedents.
With Saudi Arabia and Egypt reinforcing their support for Somalia on both legal and diplomatic grounds, Mogadishu has sought to rally backing from Arab and Islamic partners to blunt bilateral recognition efforts. Officials say the goal is to keep attention focused on cooperative economic and security ties that strengthen Somali institutions while steering clear of initiatives that challenge the country’s internationally recognized territorial boundaries.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
