Algeria has accused Israel of seeking to divide Somalia and reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during the UN General Assembly.
NEW YORK, United States (Somali Report) — Algeria has accused Israel of attempting to undermine Somalia’s territorial unity, as Algiers reiterated its opposition to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland during the United Nations General Assembly.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf made the remarks Monday while addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. His speech focused largely on the conflicts in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, but he also raised concerns over developments involving Somalia.
Attaf said Israel was pursuing what he described as efforts aimed at dividing Somalia, without providing further details. His comments reflected Algeria’s continued support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israel recognised Somaliland as an independent state on December 26, 2025, becoming the first UN member state to take such a step. The decision was followed by the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Somaliland.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 and has maintained its own political and administrative institutions for decades. It has campaigned internationally for recognition as an independent country but has not previously secured formal recognition from a UN member state.
Somalia strongly rejected Israel’s decision, saying Somaliland remains part of its sovereign territory. The federal government in Mogadishu has described the recognition as a challenge to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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The dispute has become an additional diplomatic issue in the Horn of Africa, where Somalia has sought support from regional and international partners for its position on national unity.
Algeria has repeatedly backed Somalia’s territorial integrity and opposed moves that could alter the country’s internationally recognised borders. Its latest position was delivered as world leaders gathered in New York for the annual UN debate.
Several African and international governments have also reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
The issue comes amid wider geopolitical competition in the Horn of Africa and around the Red Sea, a strategically important region linking Africa, the Middle East and major international shipping routes.
For Mogadishu, the recognition of Somaliland has become a major foreign policy issue, with Somali officials seeking diplomatic backing against any international moves that could strengthen Somaliland’s claim to independence.
Attaf’s remarks therefore add Algeria’s voice to Somalia’s diplomatic campaign, while highlighting the broader regional implications of the dispute over Somaliland’s status.
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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