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Hundreds of people poured into the streets of Mogadishu’s Wadajir district on Sunday to protest Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, a move demonstrators strongly rejected as an attack on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The rally reflected growing public anger over what many Somalis see as foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs and a direct challenge to its unity.
Carrying Somali flags and chanting patriotic songs, protesters marched through the district holding placards that denounced Israel’s action and reaffirmed their support for a united Somalia. The demonstration brought together local residents, youth groups, community elders and government officials, highlighting a shared position across different sections of society. For many in attendance, the protest was not only about politics but also about national identity and the right of Somalis to decide their own future without external pressure.
Speakers at the rally accused Israel of undermining Somalia’s internationally recognized borders and disregarding international law. Several demonstrators said the recognition of Somaliland set a dangerous precedent that could destabilize the region and encourage further divisions within Somalia. Many vowed to continue opposing any actions they believe threaten the country’s unity and independence.
“This is about defending our sovereignty and protecting the future of our nation,” one protester said, echoing a message repeated by many others during the march. Participants stressed that Somalia’s borders are not open to negotiation and that any attempt to alter them without the consent of the Somali people is unacceptable.
The protest follows Israel’s recent announcement that it had formally recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, making it the first country to do so. The decision has been met with widespread condemnation from the Somali federal government, as well as criticism from African, Arab and Islamic organizations. Several governments and regional bodies have also voiced opposition, emphasizing their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Public outrage intensified further after Israel’s foreign minister paid an official visit to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. Somali authorities described the visit as an illegal incursion into their territory and a clear violation of Somalia’s sovereignty. The trip sparked renewed protests and calls for stronger diplomatic action to reverse the recognition.
In response, the Somali federal government says it has launched a sustained diplomatic campaign to challenge Israel’s decision. Officials say they have raised the issue in international and regional forums, seeking to rally global support for Somalia’s unity. According to government sources, these efforts have received backing from a number of international partners who continue to recognize Somalia as a single, sovereign state within its established borders.
Sunday’s demonstration in Mogadishu is part of a broader wave of protests that have taken place across the country in recent weeks. Similar rallies have been held in other major cities and towns, with participants consistently voicing support for national unity and rejecting what they describe as acts of aggression and interference by foreign powers.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. Since then, it has operated as a self-governing region with its own institutions, security forces and elections. Despite more than three decades of relative stability and self-administration, Somaliland has not been recognized by the international community as a sovereign state.
The Somali government maintains that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia and insists that any recognition granted without its approval violates international law. Officials argue that issues related to the country’s political future must be resolved through dialogue among Somalis themselves, not through unilateral decisions by external actors.
For many who took part in Sunday’s rally, the message was clear: Somalia’s unity is non-negotiable. Protesters said they would continue to speak out and mobilize peacefully to defend their country’s sovereignty, calling on the international community to respect Somalia’s borders and support stability through lawful and inclusive engagement.