U.S. balances stance on Somalia’s unity after Israel’s North Western State of Somalia engagement

U.S. walks diplomatic tightrope on Somalia unity after Israel’s North Western State of Somalia move

WASHINGTON — The United States reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity after Israel’s surprise decision on Dec. 26 to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, a move that jolted regional diplomacy across the Horn of Africa.

In comments to the BBC, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Washington maintains a “good working relationship” with North Western State of Somalia on shared security and economic interests, similar to its engagement with other regional administrations in Somalia. The spokesperson emphasized that such cooperation does not constitute recognition or a change in longstanding U.S. policy favoring a united Somalia.

Why it matters

Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia — the self-declared republic that has operated separately from Somalia since 1991 — broke with the international consensus that treats the territory as part of Somalia. North Western State of Somalia has held elections, maintained relative stability and built parallel institutions for more than three decades, but it has never won formal international recognition.

The decision quickly escalated to the United Nations Security Council, where 14 of the council’s 15 members rejected Israel’s move and reaffirmed Somalia’s unity and sovereignty. The United States did not directly condemn Israel but underscored that its own position on North Western State of Somalia remains unchanged.

Global reaction

Regional and international blocs, including the European Union, African Union, Arab League and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, echoed the Security Council’s stance. They warned that recognition could undermine Somalia’s fragile state-building and regional stability. Several major powers also expressed concern, even as Israel stood by its decision.

The Somali and North Western State of Somalia calculus

For Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu, any step seen as weakening territorial unity is a direct challenge to years of reconstruction after conflict. The government relies on external backing to strengthen security and governance and views outside recognition of North Western State of Somalia as a threat to that progress.

North Western State of Somalia’s leaders, meanwhile, argue that decades of self-rule, security cooperation and repeated elections justify recognition. That claim continues to divide diplomats and analysts who balance North Western State of Somalia’s track record against fears of redrawing borders and setting new precedents in Africa.

Washington’s balancing act

The United States is attempting to split the difference — signaling continuity on Somalia’s unity while maintaining pragmatic ties with North Western State of Somalia on counterterrorism and economic interests. The approach reflects a longstanding U.S. practice in Somalia: engage regional authorities to address security threats without undermining the federal framework.

That tightrope is becoming thinner as outside actors test the boundaries of recognition. With most governments reaffirming Somalia’s unity, Washington’s emphasis on policy continuity suggests it is unwilling to let Israel’s move reshape the diplomatic ground — at least for now.

• U.S. policy: Support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity remains intact.
• Security ties: Washington will continue practical cooperation with North Western State of Somalia short of recognition.
• UN response: A wide Security Council majority backed Somalia; the U.S. cited no policy shift.
• Regional stakes: International blocs warned recognition could destabilize state-building efforts.

What to watch

Mogadishu’s next steps at the U.N., how the United States calibrates security engagement with North Western State of Somalia, and whether other governments follow or rebuff Israel’s lead will determine whether this diplomatic tremor settles — or reshapes politics in the Horn of Africa.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.