Somalia on Tuesday condemned Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, calling it a violation of international law and vowing to defend the country’s territorial integrity as diplomatic fallout widened across the Horn of Africa.
Speaking in Ankara on the sidelines of the Türkiye-Africa Strategic Dialogue organized by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Academy (MİA), Somali Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hassan Moallim Mohamud said the move underscored what he described as Israel’s disregard for international norms.
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“Israel’s recognition is a violation. First and foremost, it contravenes international law and established international norms. It demonstrates Israel’s disregard for international law and norms,” Mohamud told reporters, responding to questions about Israel’s announcement.
Israel said on Dec. 26 that it had formally recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the only country to do so. The announcement drew sharp criticism around the region and prompted swift objections from Mogadishu, which views North Western State of Somalia as part of Somalia’s internationally recognized territory.
Mohamud said such actions were not isolated and accused Israel of a history of similar violations. He added that Somalia would not permit attempts to divide the country by carving off any part of its territory and stressed that friendly nations — notably Türkiye — support Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The minister also highlighted deepening security cooperation with Türkiye, referencing a 2024 defense agreement that has expanded joint efforts against al-Shabaab militants. “Türkiye, adhering to the agreement, has brought the latest equipment and fighter jets to Somalia to combat terrorism,” he said, adding that residents had heard the aircraft in the skies — a development he described as notable for Somalia’s security environment.
Under the 2024 accord, Türkiye has provided armed drones and other military assets to bolster Somalia’s counterterrorism operations. Turkish support builds on years of engagement through training, humanitarian assistance and infrastructure programs, as well as education initiatives that have helped cultivate Somali capacity across government and civil society.
Regular Turkish Airlines flights have further connected Mogadishu to Istanbul and onward global destinations, reinforcing commercial ties and people-to-people links that Somali officials say complement the defense partnership.
Mohamud’s remarks in Ankara framed Somalia’s response as two-pronged: forcefully challenging Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia on legal and diplomatic grounds, while drawing attention to aligned partners backing Somalia’s unity and stability through tangible security and development support.
Somalia maintains that any recognition of North Western State of Somalia runs counter to international law and undermines African and global norms concerning the sovereignty of recognized states. The federal government has repeatedly urged partners to support dialogue under Somalia’s constitutional framework rather than unilateral moves it views as destabilizing.
As regional actors and international partners assess the implications of Israel’s step, Somali officials say they will continue to rally diplomatic backing for Mogadishu’s position while pressing ahead with counterterrorism efforts. In that campaign, they argue, Türkiye’s assistance — from advanced equipment to regular air links — has become a central pillar of Somalia’s security and state-building agenda.
Mohamud reiterated that message in Ankara, casting Somalia’s strategy as both a firm defense of territorial integrity and a drive to consolidate gains against al-Shabaab, with Ankara’s support cited as crucial on both fronts.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
