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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, warning that the move poses a serious threat to Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security. Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya English, the president rejected the legitimacy of Israel’s recognition, describing it as a clear violation of international law and a dangerous escalation in an already fragile region.
Mohamud stressed that Somaliland is not an independent state but an integral part of Somalia. He described it as the northwestern region of the country and one of Somalia’s 18 regions. According to him, Somalia has spent more than three decades pursuing peaceful dialogue and reconciliation to restore national unity after the region declared secession in 1991. He said Israel’s decision crossed a “red line” and undermined long-standing international consensus on Somalia’s unity.
The president said Israel’s move is driven by three main objectives. The first, and most significant, is Israel’s desire to establish a military presence close to the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. He described the area as one of the world’s most strategic waterways, critical to global trade and regional security. Mohamud warned that a foreign military base in this location would destabilize the Horn of Africa and pose direct risks to Somalia and neighboring countries.
The second objective, according to Mohamud, is linked to plans to relocate Palestinians outside their homeland. He said Somaliland authorities were being pressured to accept displaced Palestinians, an idea Somalia firmly rejects. Mohamud described the forced relocation of Palestinians as illegitimate and immoral, stressing that Palestinians belong to their own land and do not wish to be moved elsewhere. He added that Somalia has no historical or social ties with Palestinians that could justify such a proposal, and insisted that his country would never agree to it.
The third objective, Mohamud said, is to draw Somaliland into the Abraham Accords, a set of agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several countries. In return, he argued, Somaliland’s leadership is pursuing a single goal: international recognition, which it has failed to achieve for more than 30 years.
Mohamud said Somalia has closely monitored Israel’s efforts to expand its strategic reach near the Gulf region. He accused Israel of seeking military expansion under the pretext of defending itself from distant threats, despite being thousands of kilometers away. He added that Somalia is aware Israel has explored other options in the region, even though Somalia itself has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
Explaining why Somaliland accepted Israel’s offer, Mohamud pointed to what he called desperation within its leadership after decades without recognition. He said the secession project has become increasingly unviable, with several regions already rejecting separatism and expressing a desire to return to a unified Somalia. He emphasized that this push does not represent the will of the Somaliland population as a whole.
Addressing reports of celebrations in Somaliland following Israel’s announcement, Mohamud said support was limited. He noted that celebrations were confined to certain areas of Hargeisa, while many other places witnessed strong protests rejecting the decision.
The president warned that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland represents one of the most serious security threats Somalia has faced in recent years. He said the move could strengthen extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab by giving them a new rallying point for recruitment. According to Mohamud, introducing Israel into Somalia’s political and security equation could fuel radical narratives and prolong instability.
Despite these concerns, Mohamud defended his government’s fight against Al-Shabaab, rejecting claims that Somalia lacks a clear strategy. He said Somali forces have reclaimed large areas from the group since 2022 and continue to make progress. While reaffirming his preference for dialogue to restore national unity, he cautioned that Somalia would not hesitate to act if its security and sovereignty were put at risk.
Israel announced in December that it would formally recognize Somaliland, becoming the first and only country to do so. The decision has been rejected by the African Union, Egypt, and the European Union, all of which reaffirm Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.