MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia has strongly denounced Israel’s appointment of Michael Lotem as its first non-resident ambassador to Somaliland on Wednesday, describing the action as a direct attack on Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated April 15, 2026, the government emphasized that such actions contravene international law, including the UN Charter and African Union principles, which acknowledge Somalia as a single state within its internationally recognized borders.
The ministry declared that any diplomatic engagement with the Somaliland region without the explicit consent of the central government is unlawful and holds no legal validity. Mogadishu cautioned that this decision could destabilize the region and hinder Somalia’s state-building and counter-terrorism initiatives.
Sixteen Nations Issue Joint Condemnation
The condemnation has been echoed by a broad coalition of nations. On April 18, foreign ministers from 16 countries — including the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of the Sudan, the State of Libya, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the State of Palestine, the Republic of Türkiye, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Sultanate of Oman — issued a joint statement expressing their “strongest condemnation” of Israel’s decision to appoint a diplomatic representative to Somaliland.
The ministers described the move as “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia” and reaffirmed their “unequivocal rejection of all unilateral measures that undermine the unity of states or infringe upon their sovereignty.”
“They underscore their firm and unwavering support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia, as well as for its legitimate state institutions, being the sole representative of the will of the Somali people,” the statement read.
The ministers further emphasized that “such actions constitute a blatant violation of the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union,” warning that the move “sets a dangerous precedent that risks undermining stability in the Horn of Africa, which reflects negatively on regional peace and security as a whole.”
Egypt Reiterates Firm Support for Somalia
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated Cairo’s firm condemnation during a high-level meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Saturday. Acting on directives from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Abdelatty stressed that Egypt remains committed to Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“Stability in Somalia remains critical to the security of the Horn of Africa and is closely linked to Egypt’s national security,” Abdelatty said, underlining Cairo’s pledge to support Mogadishu across military, security, and humanitarian sectors.
Somalia and Egypt have reached an agreement to enhance diplomatic cooperation against measures perceived as threatening national unity and territorial integrity, following discussions between their foreign ministers during an OIC conference in Jeddah. The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to respect international law and back diplomatic and multilateral initiatives designed to protect Somalia’s sovereignty.
OIC Condemns Israeli Move
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also strongly condemned Israel’s announcement to assign a diplomatic representative to Somaliland. The Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC convened an extraordinary session in January 2026 to address what it described as a dangerous escalation in regional stability. The 22nd extraordinary session was triggered by Israel’s announcement recognizing the Somaliland region as an independent state.
Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha addressed the assembly, labeling the move a “flagrant violation of international law” and a “dangerous precedent,” emphasizing that such recognition poses a direct threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The session concluded with the formal adoption of a resolution focusing on protecting the sovereignty of Somalia against external interference and unilateral recognition of its regions.
President Mohamud Cautions Israel
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has issued a stern warning that Somalia will defend itself against any attempt to establish an Israeli military base in Somaliland. Speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, the President characterized Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as a “blatant breach of international law” and questioned the motives behind a potential military foothold in the Horn of Africa.
“A base is not a tourist site. It is a military facility, and military means either attack or defence,” the President explained. “There is no place in Somalia that Israel needs to defend.”
When questioned about Mogadishu’s response to such a development, the President asserted: “We will fight in our capacity… we will confront any Israeli forces coming in, because we are against that and we will never allow that.”
President Mohamud has also stated that Mogadishu opposes any Israeli presence in Somaliland, cautioning that Tel Aviv’s recognition of the self-declared region could import Middle East tensions into the Horn of Africa. He warned that setting up a military base in Somaliland and forcibly relocating Palestinians would intensify conflict, which Somali authorities and citizens firmly reject.
Israel’s Campaign for Broader Recognition
Israel is now actively urging other nations to recognize Somaliland, marking a shift after recently becoming the first country to formally acknowledge Somaliland’s independence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly raised the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a phone conversation, sparking speculation that India may soon follow suit. Israeli officials are also engaging Ethiopia and Kenya, citing shared strategic interests and regional security challenges.
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said he expects many countries will eventually recognize Somaliland, clarifying that Israel is leading by example rather than applying direct pressure on other states. In the United States, momentum is building for formal recognition, with Senator Ted Cruz sending a letter to the president urging the U.S. to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent nation.
Somaliland Rejects Condemnation, Defends Sovereignty
In response, the Government of Somaliland issued a statement rejecting the joint condemnation and defending its diplomatic engagement.
“Somaliland is a sovereign state grounded in state continuity, having attained independence on 26 June 1960 and subsequently reasserted its sovereignty in 1991 following an unratified union,” the statement said.
The government argued that its diplomatic engagement “does not constitute a violation of any state’s sovereignty,” adding that Somaliland has demonstrated “over three decades, a consistent record of peace, democratic governance, and responsible partnership.”
Israel has formally accepted Somaliland’s inaugural ambassador following its highly controversial recognition of the breakaway northern territory. Mohamed Hagi, who previously represented Somaliland as its ambassador to Taiwan, officially assumed his new diplomatic position in Israel.
Israel Officially Recognized Somaliland in December 2025
The diplomatic fallout follows Israel’s landmark decision in December 2025 to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the declaration alongside Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Iro), establishing full diplomatic relations, including the exchange of ambassadors and the opening of embassies.
Somaliland Leader Speaks with Israeli PM
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” conducted a high-level telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March 2026, discussing regional security amid the expanding conflict between various Middle Eastern nations.
The Somaliland leader conveyed deep apprehensions concerning current geopolitical developments, stressing that safeguarding civilian lives must remain the absolute foremost consideration during any military escalations. Furthermore, intelligence reports and regional leaders indicate that Israel intends to establish a strategic military base in the Somaliland region, facing severe threats from both Yemeni Houthi rebels and Al-Shabaab militants, who have publicly warned they would consider any Israeli installation a valid military target.
Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Somalia
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has forcefully reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity and full support for the sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity of Somalia, strongly condemning the illegal Israeli recognition of Somaliland and officially aligning Islamabad with a growing coalition of allied nations actively defending Somalia’s national borders.
Somalia Warns of Bab el-Mandeb Strait Action
Somalia has indicated it might extend its response to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland by potentially restricting access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a statement that has drawn significant attention given Mogadishu’s historical dependence on Western support.
“Any country interfering in Somalia’s internal affairs and compromising its territorial integrity and sovereignty will face repercussions, including potential restrictions on access to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait,” Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Abdullahi Warfa, said in a statement.
Call for International Action
The Federal Government of Somalia has demanded Israel to immediately withdraw the appointment and has appealed to the international community — including the UN, Arab League, African Union, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and European Union — to oppose any measures jeopardizing the unity of the Somali Republic or attempting to legitimize secessionist movements.
Mogadishu continues to urge the international community to stand against any measures that threaten the unity of the Somali Republic or seek to legitimize secessionist claims. Somalia has called upon the Government of Israel to reconsider and retract its recognition of Somaliland and to fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence.
