Several Arab and Muslim states condemned Israel’s announcement that it is set to send a diplomatic envoy to Somaliland, made in a joint statement on Saturday.
The foreign ministers of Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Bangladesh, Algeria, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mauritania, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority signed a joint declaration calling the decision a “flagrant violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The foreign ministers said that they rejected “all unilateral measures” that undermined the unity of states or detracted from their sovereignty.
They also stated that “legitimate Somali state institutions” were the “sole entity representing the will of the Somali people.”
Decisions such as Israel sending a diplomatic envoy “represent a dangerous precedent that undermines stability in the Horn of Africa region, with negative repercussions on regional peace and security in general,” they insisted.
Somaliland calls signatories 'hypocrites' for not condemning al-Shabaab
In response, the Republic of Somaliland denounced the signatories, calling them all “hypocrites.”
“Why don’t you condemn al-Shabaab?” Somaliland asked in a reply on X/Twitter. Translated as “The Youth,” al-Shabaab is a Somalia-based Sunni Islamist militant and terrorist organization. It conducts attacks against the Somali government, civilians, and African Union forces
“Why don’t you condemn ISIS, the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, or Iran’s terror proxies?” it continued.
“The Republic of Somaliland is the only peaceful, democratic, stable, and terror-free success story in the entire Horn of Africa. Israel has acknowledged this truth and is forging a genuine partnership with us,” Somaliland posted.
In what was a clear and direct message to the signatories, Somaliland noted: “We all understand that your false condemnation stems solely from hatred for Israel and a desire to prevent the Republic of Somaliland, a Muslim nation, from gaining independence from your influence.”
The post concluded by calling on the signatories to “stay out of our future.”
Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry later released a formal statement calling for a “fact-based and pragmatic approach that reflects legal realities, including the African Union’s own findings on Somaliland’s unique case.”
“Somaliland is a sovereign state grounded in state continuity, having attained independence on June 26, 1960, and subsequently reasserted its sovereignty in 1991 following an unratified union,” the ministry said.
“Its position is anchored in established principles of international law, including self-determination and effective governance.
“Recognition of the Republic of Somaliland is a grounded legal reality, not a matter of political convenience, and cannot be indefinitely deferred.
“It is essential to advancing durable peace, cooperation, and long-term stability in the Horn of Africa. Continued denial neither alters the facts nor supports regional stability.”