Israel on Friday became the first country in the world to formally recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move that has triggered a wave of condemnation across Africa and the Middle East and drawn sharp warnings about the risks of fragmenting Somalia.

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government, lies along the Gulf of Aden, where the Bab el-Mandeb Strait meets the Red Sea, one of the world's most strategic maritime corridors.

The territory borders Djibouti, home to the largest US military base in Africa, giving the issue significant geopolitical weight.

Within hours of Israel’s announcement, several countries said the decision violated international law and threatened Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Egypt

Egypt said it had begun consultations with key regional partners to oppose the recognition. In a statement, Cairo said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held calls with his counterparts in Somalia, Türkiye and Djibouti to discuss what it described as the “dangerous developments” in the Horn of Africa stemming from Israel’s move.

China

China also weighed in, reaffirming its support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

“No country should encourage or support other countries’ internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, urging Somaliland authorities to halt “separatist activities and collusion with external forces”.

Arab states

Jordan said it “strongly rejects” the mutual recognition between Israel and Somaliland, calling it a “flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter” and an infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty.

Saudi Arabia said the step entrenches “unilateral, separatist measures” and contradicts international law, stressing its full support for Somalia’s unity and legitimate state institutions.

Palestine described the recognition as a threat to Arab and regional security, warning that legitimising secession undermines Somalia’s stability.

Kuwait said the recognition violates international law and reaffirmed its backing for Somalia’s sovereignty over all its territory. Iraq, chair of the current Arab League session, called the move a “blatant violation” of state sovereignty and urged the international community to take a clear stand against what it termed “unlawful practices”.

African Union and joint condemnation

The African Union said it “firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entity, underlining its long-standing position in support of Somalia’s territorial integrity.

On Saturday, a joint statement condemning Israel’s recognition was issued by a group of 21 Arab, Islamic and African countries and organisations. The signatories were Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Libya, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Maldives, Nigeria and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

The breadth of the backlash shows how sensitive the Somaliland issue remains more than three decades after it declared independence, and highlights fears that any international recognition could set a precedent for further fragmentation in a region already grappling with conflict and instability. (Business Insider Africa)

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