Somalia: Somalia Urges Arab States to Block Wider Recognition of Somaliland

What the report says

Somalia has asked Arab states to use their diplomatic leverage to stop any wider international effort to recognise Somaliland, according to Shabelle Media Network via AllAfrica. The appeal was made by Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, also known as Ali Balcad, in an interview with the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

Omar said Mogadishu is watching for possible recognition moves by other countries and has also been in contact with the Trump administration to explain Somalia’s opposition to Israel’s decision. He said Israel was the first UN member state to formally recognise Somaliland in December, after which the two sides exchanged ambassadors and Somaliland opened an embassy in Jerusalem, while its president visited Israel.

Somalia considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory, while Somaliland has sought international recognition since declaring independence in 1991. The dispute remains one of the Horn of Africa’s most sensitive political issues, with Somaliland operating its own institutions but lacking broad recognition. Omar warned that increased foreign military or intelligence activity in Somaliland could raise tensions and affect stability in Somalia and the wider region.

The Somali government’s latest appeal underscores how recognition disputes are tied to broader security and diplomacy in the Red Sea-adjacent Horn of Africa, where outside powers have growing strategic interests.