The Government of Somalia Strongly Opposes the Appointment of an Israeli Ambassador Said to Operate in Hargeisa

Mogadishu – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia has strongly condemned the action taken by Israel to appoint an ambassador to Hargeisa, and the laying of the foundation stone for a building it described as an embassy located on Somali territory.

A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that these actions, taken without the approval of the Federal Government of Somalia, blatantly contradict the independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia.

The Government of Somalia has stated that it recognizes these actions as baseless and having no legal effect. The Ministry clarified that Hargeisa and the regions of Northwest are still an inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Additionally, the press release noted that the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of permanent diplomatic missions require the approval of the government that has the sovereignty of the country, as stipulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The government added that there is no unilateral action that can bypass these requirements or alter the status of Somali territory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that these actions follow the recognition announced by Israel in December 2025, which was previously rejected by the African Union, the IGAD regional organization, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The press release warned that actions promoting division, while ignoring internationally recognized borders, pose a risk of escalating security tensions in the region, particularly in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Government of Somalia has called on Israel to immediately reverse these actions, while also urging governments and international organizations to reject and avoid anything that could legitimize them. Finally, the Federal Government of Somalia stated that it has the right to take all appropriate diplomatic, political, and legal measures, in accordance with international law, to defend the independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the country.

The ministry concluded its statement by emphasizing that the independence and territorial integrity of Somalia must be respected, and that the unity of the Somali people is not a matter for negotiation.