Israel’s Somaliland Move Sparks Sharp UN Backlash

By: ATN News Team

UNHQ, New York: Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state triggered sharp divisions at the United Nations Security Council, with Somalia and a broad coalition of regional and international actors warning the move threatens stability in the Horn of Africa and undermines Somalia’s sovereignty.

Briefing the Council, Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general for political affairs, said Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the recognition on Dec. 26. Somaliland authorities welcomed the move, saying it would lead to full diplomatic relations and expanded cooperation with Israel.

Somalia’s federal government rejected the recognition as a “deliberate attack” on its unity and territorial integrity, reaffirming that no external actor has the authority to alter the country’s borders. Any declaration or arrangement undermining Somalia’s territorial integrity is “null and void,” Khiari said, citing a statement from Mogadishu.

Speaking after the briefing, Somalia’s representative — also addressing the Council on behalf of Algeria, Guyana, and Sierra Leone — condemned Israel’s action as a violation of the UN Charter, African Union principles, and international law. He warned the move risks encouraging fragmentation and destabilizing a country still battling extremist violence.

Several Council members echoed those concerns. Delegates from Sierra Leone, Panama, and the Republic of Korea stressed that sovereignty and territorial integrity are core principles of the international order and cautioned against unilateral recognitions. Greece and Pakistan warned that any step weakening Somalia’s cohesion could reverse hard-won counterterrorism gains against Al-Shabaab.

Regional and multilateral organizations, including the African Union and the League of Arab States, reiterated support for Somalia’s unity, while European and African diplomats urged dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa to prevent escalation.

China, Russia, and France opposed any action that could compromise peace and security in Somalia or the wider region. The United Kingdom cautioned that internal divisions play into the hands of terrorist groups and called on Somali stakeholders to settle disputes through inclusive dialogue.

The United States, however, defended Israel’s decision, arguing that Somaliland has the right to conduct diplomatic relations. The U.S. delegate said Washington had made no change to its own policy and would not announce recognition of Somaliland, while criticizing what she described as double standards in the Council’s response.

Israel’s representative said the recognition was lawful and consistent with international law, arguing Somaliland has met the criteria for statehood under the Montevideo Convention. He described the move as an opportunity to promote clarity and stability in the Horn of Africa.

Somalia’s envoy responded forcefully, accusing Israel of exporting destabilizing behavior from the Middle East to Africa and warning that recognition of Somaliland could set a troubling precedent with serious implications for international security.

The exchange highlighted widening geopolitical divides at the Security Council, where questions of sovereignty, self-determination, and regional stability are increasingly colliding in one of Africa’s most fragile regions.