Somalia condemns Israel’s appointment of ambassador to North Western State of Somalia

Thursday April 16, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia on Thursday sharply criticized Israel’s appointment of an ambassador to North Western State of Somalia, saying the decision infringes on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel’s move to name an ambassador to the self-declared breakaway region in northern Somalia amounted to “a direct breach of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” and ran counter to international law, including the U.N. Charter and African Union principles that recognize Somalia as one sovereign state within its internationally recognized borders.

“The Federal Government of Somalia categorically rejects any attempt to confer diplomatic or political recognition on any part of its territory outside the authority of the Federal Government,” the statement said. It added that North Western State of Somalia remains “an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia” and that any portrayal of the region as an independent state has no legal basis.

North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government, but it has never secured broad international recognition. The territory maintains its own administration, security forces and institutions, yet it is still considered by the international community to be part of Somalia.

Mogadishu said Israel’s decision could complicate efforts to strengthen national institutions, deepen democratic governance and support reconciliation, while also creating potential risks for regional stability. The government urged Israel to reconsider and reverse the appointment.

Somalia also appealed to international organizations, including the African Union, United Nations, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and European Union, to defend international law and reject any step it said could legitimize secessionist claims.

North Western State of Somalia, meanwhile, rejected Somalia’s position and dismissed the statement as legally and historically baseless.

“The Republic of North Western State of Somalia is a sovereign state. It attained independence on 26 June 1960 and was recognized by the international community in its own right. This sovereignty neither originated from, nor is contingent upon, any authority in Mogadishu,” North Western State of Somalia said in a statement.

North Western State of Somalia said its foreign contacts are an expression of its sovereign rights and do not require approval from the federal government in Mogadishu. It said it remains committed to peaceful coexistence, regional stability and constructive international engagement, and described its sovereignty as non-negotiable.

The exchange highlights the enduring dispute between Mogadishu and Hargeisa over North Western State of Somalia’s political status and comes amid wider geopolitical realignments in the Horn of Africa.