MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Federal Parliament of Somalia, convening in a historic extraordinary joint session on Sunday, has unanimously adopted a resolution categorically rejecting Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region. In a decisive legislative move, both the House of the People and the Upper House declared the recognition “null and void,” asserting it has no legal validity under international law.
The resolution, titled “Resolution on the Rejection and Prevention of the Violation By Israel of the Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity and Independence of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” was passed during the 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 7th Session at the Parliament headquarters in Villa Hargeisa. The document firmly establishes that the Northwestern Regions (Somaliland) constitute an “inseparable part” of the sovereign territory of the Federal Republic, and that any claim to secession or international recognition is “devoid of any legal basis”.
President Hassan Sheikh: “A Naked Invasion”
Addressing the joint session, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud delivered a stinging condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The President characterized the recognition as the “greatest violation” of Somali sovereignty in recent history.
“The step taken by Netanyahu is one that can never be accepted,” President Mohamud told the lawmakers. He described the move as a “naked invasion” against the statehood, independence, and unity of the Federal Republic. The President emphasized that while Somalia has faced many difficult circumstances, it has never encountered a violation of this magnitude regarding its territorial integrity.
“Somalia is one. It has a long history. The northern regions of the Republic, known as Somaliland, are part of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the President declared, reaffirming the government’s stance that the nation’s unity is non-negotiable.
Key Provisions of the Resolution
The adopted resolution outlines several critical measures and legal determinations:
Official Condemnation: The Parliament “strongly condemns and categorically rejects” any declaration by Israel purporting to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state.
Violation of International Law: The legislature determined that the recognition constitutes a clear violation of the UN Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and the charters of the Arab League and OIC.
Legal Consequences: The resolution warns that any individual or institution, whether Somali or international, that violates this resolution shall be subject to the Penal Code and other applicable laws of the Federal Republic.
Directive to Government: The Parliament directed the Federal Government to immediately transmit the resolution to major international bodies, including the UN, AU, and IGAD, to reaffirm the Somali people’s right to national security and territorial unity.
A Threat to Global Stability
The Parliament’s resolution also framed the issue as a broader security concern, stating that the “so-called recognition is a threat to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and to stability around the world”. This legislative action solidifies the legal framework for the Federal Government’s diplomatic offensive, providing a clear mandate to oppose any external attempts to fragment the Somali state.
The resolution entered into force immediately upon its approval by both houses, signed by the Speaker of the House of the People, Hon. Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe), and the 1st Deputy Speaker of the Upper House, Sen. Ali Sha’ban Ibrahim.
