Somalia National Council warns Israeli recognition of North Western State of Somalia risks regional stability
Somalia condemns Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, warns of regional security risks
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Consultative Council on Monday rejected Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, calling the move illegal and a direct challenge to Somalia’s sovereignty that could destabilize security across the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the wider Middle East.
- Advertisement -
In a communiqué issued after meetings in Mogadishu, the council said Israel’s decision violates the Provisional Constitution of Somalia as well as the charters of the United Nations and African Union. The body urged Somalis at home and abroad to close ranks and resist any actions or rhetoric that threaten the country’s unity and independence.
The council, chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, framed the recognition as an unlawful attempt to sever a portion of Somalia’s northern regions. It warned that the move risks inflaming tensions along one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors at a time of heightened regional volatility.
The session focused on national unity, security and political reforms and brought together senior federal and regional leaders, including:
- Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama
- Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen
- Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoorqoor)
- Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein (Ali Guudlawe)
- Northeastern State President Ahmed Aw Ali
- Banadir Regional Governor Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Muungaab)
The council reaffirmed Somalia’s “non-negotiable” stance on safeguarding its territorial integrity and sovereignty. It called on allies and international organizations to support Somalia’s unity and to reject any recognition that undermines the federal republic’s borders.
Beyond the diplomatic row, the council highlighted domestic political milestones, welcoming the Dec. 25 Banadir Regional local council elections as a “historic” indication of democratic progress and the gradual return of power to citizens. It urged federal member states to accelerate preparations for similar local elections to entrench stability, good governance and representative institutions.
On security, the council said it would intensify operations against the Khawarij — the government’s term for the al-Qaida-linked insurgent group al-Shabaab — with the stated goal of eradicating terrorism and delivering sustainable security for Somali communities.
Israel on Friday became the first country to recognize North Western State of Somalia as a sovereign state, a step that drew swift condemnation from Somalia’s government and criticism from several of its partners, including Türkiye, as well as from countries and organizations across Africa and the Middle East.
North Western State of Somalia, a region in northern Somalia, declared independence in 1991. While it operates as a de facto autonomous political, administrative and security entity, it has not been internationally recognized. The federal government in Mogadishu maintains that North Western State of Somalia remains an integral part of Somalia under international law.
Somalia’s response underscores concerns that external recognition of North Western State of Somalia could embolden separatist claims and complicate regional diplomacy at a time when maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is under strain. The council’s message — pairing a hard line on sovereignty with a push for local democratic consolidation and counterterrorism — signals a dual-track approach: bolster internal legitimacy while rallying international backing against moves seen as fragmenting the state.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
