Somalia has rejected any Israeli move to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, with deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala vowing that Mogadishu will defend the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has reaffirmed that it does not recognize Israel and rejected any move to recognize part of Somali territory as a separate state, deputy Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala said.
The deputy minister said the federal government would firmly oppose any action that threatens Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that Mogadishu will not accept Israeli military base in Berbera city on the Gulf of Aden.
“Israel is not a country that we recognize, and it cannot recognize any part of Somalia. We will defend Somalia’s sovereignty,” Al-Adala said in an interview with Al Arabiya television.
He said the Somali government was prepared to take any necessary measures to protect the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions over Israel’s position on Somaliland, the self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has not secured broad international recognition.
Mogadishu has consistently rejected Somaliland’s claim to independence, maintaining that the territory remains part of Somalia and that any foreign recognition of Somaliland would constitute a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
The minister’s comments underline the federal government’s opposition to any arrangement that could alter Somalia’s territorial status without the consent of Mogadishu.
Somalia has repeatedly called on foreign governments to respect its internationally recognized borders and has warned against steps that could deepen political divisions or undermine its territorial integrity.
The issue has also become a sensitive regional matter because of Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, near one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
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Somali officials have previously said that agreements involving foreign powers and Somaliland cannot be valid if they disregard Somalia’s sovereignty.
The government’s position reflects a long-standing diplomatic policy under which Mogadishu considers Somaliland part of the Somali state, despite the territory having maintained its own administration, security forces and institutions for decades.
Israel’s reported engagement with Somaliland has therefore been viewed by Somalia as a direct challenge to its territorial integrity.
Al-Adala stressed that the federal government would continue to defend Somalia’s unity and would oppose any effort to fragment the country.
The dispute comes as Somalia faces broader political and security challenges, including tensions between the federal government and regional administrations over constitutional reforms, elections and the distribution of political authority.
For Mogadishu, the question of Somaliland remains closely tied to the principle of territorial sovereignty and the preservation of Somalia’s internationally recognized borders.
The government has sought international support for its position, urging regional and global partners to avoid unilateral steps that could alter the status of Somali territory.
Al-Adala’s comments therefore signal that Mogadishu intends to maintain a firm diplomatic line against any recognition of Somaliland by Israel or other states, while continuing to regard the territory as an integral part of Somalia.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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