Somalia Weighed Military Action but Chose Dialogue After Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland, President Reveals

MOGADISHU – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described Israel’s decision to recognise the breakaway region of Somaliland in December 2025 as “one of the darkest days in Somalia’s history,” revealing that the federal government weighed military action as a potential response but ultimately chose dialogue and persuasion.

Speaking in a recent interview, the Somali president said Mogadishu had considered two distinct paths in dealing with the long-standing dispute over Somaliland. “We considered both paths, and in the end we chose dialogue and persuasion,” he said. “Although it has taken more than 30 years, it was the most appropriate approach given the circumstances.”

The president’s remarks come six months after Israel formally recognised Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first United Nations member state to do so. Since that announcement, Mogadishu has consistently opposed the move, rejecting any international recognition of Somaliland’s independence and reaffirming its position that the breakaway region remains an inseparable part of Somalia. President Mohamud had previously called Israel’s recognition a “dark day” for Somalia.

Decades of Rejected Israeli Overtures

President Hassan Sheikh stated that Somalia and Israel have never maintained diplomatic relations or formal cooperation, although Mogadishu acknowledges Israel’s existence as a member of the United Nations and other international bodies.

“We cannot deny Israel’s existence as a state, but we have no relations or cooperation with it,” the president said. “Somalia views Israel as an occupying and aggressive power against the Palestinian people.” He reaffirmed Somalia’s long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noting that the position aligns with that of much of the international community. Israel has expressed concern about Egypt’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa, reflecting the broader geopolitical competition in the region.

Addressing the circumstances that led to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, the president said shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region and Israel’s recent wars had led Tel Aviv to identify strategic interests in parts of Somalia. He noted that Israel had repeatedly sought cooperation with Somalia over the years, but successive Somali governments had turned down such overtures on the basis of religious principles, humanitarian values and political considerations. Mogadishu has repeatedly cautioned Israel over its engagement with Somaliland, warning that such actions undermine regional stability.

A ‘Strategic Mistake’ by Somaliland

“They found people who had grown desperate after a long search for recognition, and they took advantage of that,” he said, referring to Somaliland’s leadership. “This was a strategic mistake by Somaliland, and it could push Somalia into unnecessary situations.” Israel formally welcomed Somaliland’s first ambassador in early 2026, solidifying diplomatic ties between Tel Aviv and Hargeisa despite widespread international opposition.

The president’s comments align with intelligence reports cited by Mogadishu indicating that Somaliland had agreed to resettle Palestinians, host an Israeli military base and join the Abraham Accords in exchange for recognition by Israel. Israeli authorities have denied plans to resettle Gazans in Somaliland, though diplomatic ties have continued to advance, with Israel formally accepting Somaliland’s inaugural ambassador in early 2026. The federal government mounted a diplomatic drive to defend national unity and sovereignty after the recognition, engaging leaders from various countries and international organisations to oppose the move.

Regional and International Fallout

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland triggered widespread condemnation across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the move as a clear violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reinforcing Ankara’s strategic partnership with Mogadishu. Djibouti escalated the dispute by closing Somaliland’s liaison office and blocking Djibouti’s flag carrier from landing in the territory, with Djiboutian authorities tying their actions directly to Israel’s recognition.

At the United Nations Security Council, nearly all member states condemned Israel’s recognition, while the United States abstained from condemnation, stating that its stance on the breakaway region had not changed.

Warnings Against Israeli Military Presence

President Hassan Sheikh has consistently warned against any Israeli military presence in Somaliland, cautioning that such a move could import Middle Eastern conflicts directly into the Horn of Africa. He previously vowed to resist any Israeli military presence in Somaliland, warning that an Israeli foothold could reignite conflict in parts of Somalia and neighbouring states, given hostile relations involving Yemen’s Houthis and Iran toward Israel.

“If Israel uses Somaliland as a proxy territory to attack others, they may retaliate in Somaliland and Somalia, creating a dangerous dynamic,” the president said. He has also stated that setting up a military base in Somaliland and forcibly relocating Palestinians would intensify conflict, which Somali authorities and citizens firmly reject.

Way Forward

Israel formally recognised Somaliland in late 2025, with both parties announcing plans to establish embassies. Somaliland declared it would open its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem, a choice that provoked criticism from Mogadishu and eighteen other Muslim-majority countries. Despite the diplomatic blow, Mogadishu has maintained that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia, a position supported by the African Union, the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and numerous bilateral partners.