Somalia Rejects Israel’s Purported Appointment of Ambassador in Hargeisa

MOGADISHU (SONNA) – The Federal Government of Somalia has strongly condemned Israel’s purported accreditation of an ambassador in Hargeisa and the laying of a cornerstone for what it described as a so-called embassy on Somali territory, declaring the actions a violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Somalia said the actions were undertaken without the consent of the Federal Government and were therefore null and void, with no legal effect.

The Ministry reaffirmed that Hargeisa and the Somaliland region remain an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, stressing that the establishment of diplomatic relations and permanent diplomatic missions requires the consent of the sovereign state, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The statement further said the measures followed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December 2025, which Somalia said had already been rejected by the African Union, IGAD, the League of Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Somalia also warned that actions encouraging fragmentation and disregarding internationally recognised borders could heighten tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, particularly amid existing regional insecurity.

The Federal Government called on Israel to immediately reverse the measures and urged states and international organisations to reject them and refrain from any engagement that could confer legitimacy on the actions.

The Ministry said Somalia reserves the right to pursue appropriate diplomatic, political and legal measures under international law to defend its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, reiterating that the unity of the Somali nation is not negotiable.