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The Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the African Union (AU), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have joined a growing chorus of countries and senior diplomats condemning Israelâs formal decision to recognise Somaliland, a self-declared region in Somalia, as an independent state.
Somaliland, located in the Horn of Africa, proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. Despite operating with its own institutions for more than three decades, it has failed to secure international recognition. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who assumed office last year, has made diplomatic recognition a central pillar of his administration.
On Friday, Israel announced that it now regarded Somaliland as an âindependent and sovereign stateâ, becoming the first country to officially extend such recognition. The move immediately drew sharp backlash from Somalia, which described the decision as a âdeliberate assaultâ on its territorial integrity and warned it could destabilise the wider region.
In a statement issued the same day, the African Union rejected Israelâs action, cautioning that it risked establishing âa dangerous precedent with far-reaching consequences for peace and stability across Africaâ. AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the bloc âfirmly opposes any initiative or step aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entityâ, reiterating that the territory âremains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somaliaâ.
âA dangerous precedentâ
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit denounced Israelâs decision as âa blatant violation of international law and a clear infringement on the principle of state sovereignty and unityâ. He warned that unilateral recognition efforts represented âunacceptable interferenceâ in Somaliaâs internal affairs and could undermine both regional and global stability.
The GCC echoed those concerns, describing the move as âa grave breach of international law and a blatant violationâ of Somaliaâs sovereignty. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said the recognition would weaken stability in the Horn of Africa, fuel further tensions, and run counter to international efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region.
The European Union also weighed in, reaffirming its respect for Somaliaâs territorial integrity and sovereignty, while urging dialogue between the Somali federal government and Somaliland authorities.
Meanwhile, the OIC released a joint statement alongside foreign ministers from numerous countries, including Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye, and Yemen.
The group expressed its âunequivocal rejectionâ of Israelâs recognition of Somaliland, warning that such an âunprecedented measureâ could have serious consequences for peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and global stability more broadly. The statement criticised what it called Israelâs âcomplete and flagrant disregard for international lawâ and reaffirmed full support for Somaliaâs sovereignty and unity.
The signatories also rejected âany possible linkageâ between the Somaliland recognition and alleged plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land. Earlier this year, reports surfaced suggesting that international recognition of Somaliland may have been tied to proposals involving the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to parts of Africaâclaims that have drawn widespread condemnation.
Somalia demands reversal
Several countries, including Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China, and Nigeria, issued separate statements condemning Israelâs move. Both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas also rejected the recognition.
Somalia formally demanded on Friday that Israel reverse its decision, branding it an act of âaggression that will never be toleratedâ. In contrast, Somaliland President Abdullahi welcomed the announcement, describing it as a âhistoric momentâ and declaring on X that it signalled the start of a new âstrategic partnershipâ with Israel.
As international reactions continued, Somaliaâs al-Qaeda-linked armed group al-Shabab issued a statement on Saturday vowing to resist any Israeli attempt âto claim or use parts of Somalilandâ. The group, which has waged a violent insurgency for years, warned: âWe will not accept it, and we will fight against it.â
US President Donald Trump also commented on the issue when asked by the New York Post whether Washington intended to recognise Somaliland. He responded that it did not.
âDoes anyone really know what Somaliland is?â Trump added.
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