Wednesday January 7, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Arab League on Tuesday strongly condemned the visit by Israel’s foreign minister to Hargeisa, calling it an illegitimate attempt to legitimize the recognition of Somaliland and a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a statement, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the visit, which took place Jan. 6, was part of what he described as a failed effort to advance Israel’s move toward recognizing Somaliland, a step he said falls outside the internationally recognized framework of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The secretary-general warned that the move risks inflaming political tensions not only within Somalia but also across the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the wider Horn of Africa, regions already facing significant security and geopolitical strain.
In a separate statement, Arab League spokesperson Gamal Rashidi said the visit had been widely rejected and condemned at both Arab and international levels. He recalled that the Arab League Council, meeting on Dec. 28, 2025, declared any actions aimed at recognizing Somaliland to be null, void and unacceptable.
Rashidi also voiced concern over what he described as alleged efforts to facilitate plans involving the displacement of Palestinians, as well as the potential use of Somali ports for establishing foreign military bases.
The Arab League said it would continue providing political and technical support to Somali state institutions to counter any moves that could create new zones of conflict, undermine Somalia’s unity and stability, or threaten the strategic security of key Arab maritime routes.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized by the international community. Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland and subsequent high-level visit have triggered sharp reactions from Somalia, regional governments and multilateral organizations, deepening diplomatic tensions across the Horn of Africa.