Nigeria and more than 20 other countries have rejected Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, warning that the move violates international law and could undermine peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 after a prolonged civil war. Despite operating its own government, currency, and security institutions for more than three decades, Somaliland has never been recognised by any member of the United Nations.
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In a statement issued on Saturday, Nigeria said it “unequivocally” supports the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Nigeria also aligned itself with a joint statement signed by over 20 countries condemning Israel’s action.
The joint statement, issued by the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Djibouti, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, alongside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, described Israel’s recognition as an “unprecedented measure” with “serious repercussions on peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea”.
The ministers said the move constitutes “a grave violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, particularly provisions that safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. They warned that recognising breakaway regions of sovereign countries sets a dangerous precedent that threatens international peace and security.
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Somalia has strongly condemned Israel’s decision, describing it as interference in its internal affairs. Ali Omar, Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, said the country would resist the move through diplomatic channels.
“This will never be acceptable or tolerable to our government and people who are united in defending our territorial integrity,” Omar told Al Jazeera.
He said Somalia would deploy all diplomatic means to challenge the recognition and urged Israel to rescind the decision and comply with international law. He also accused Israel of linking the recognition of Somaliland to a broader regional agenda, an allegation Israel has previously denied.
Saudi Arabia separately rejected Israel’s move, warning against unilateral separatist actions that violate international law and undermine Somalia’s unity and legitimate institutions.
The African Union also dismissed Israel’s recognition, stressing its long-standing principle of respecting borders inherited at independence. The continental body warned that recognising Somaliland could set a dangerous precedent across Africa.
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Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, Somaliland’s president, popularly known as Cirro, defended Israel’s decision, insisting it was not directed against any country. He said Somaliland has for decades sought international recognition and pointed to its functioning government and institutions as justification.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, described the recognition as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords and said he would raise Somaliland’s case in discussions with Donald Trump, the United States president. The United States has not recognised Somaliland as a separate country.
Jordan later issued its own statement reinforcing its opposition. Foreign ministry spokesperson Fuad Majali said Amman “strongly” rejects the announcement of mutual recognition between Israel and the Somaliland region, describing it as a flagrant violation of international law and an infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty.
