President Mahmoud calls Israel’s Somaliland recognition an “act of aggression”

Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, has addressed a joint session of parliament amid Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. The address comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s decision, a move that has triggered widespread diplomatic backlash across the region and beyond.

President Mahmoud first publicly responded to the announcement on Saturday through a post on X (formerly Twitter), describing Israel’s action as “illegal.” Earlier, Somalia’s Council of Ministers had issued an official statement strongly denouncing the decision.

In his address to parliament today, President Mahmoud accused the Israeli prime minister of committing what he described as “the greatest violation against Somalia’s sovereignty.” He stated that although Somalia has “endured difficult times and circumstances,” it has never faced a challenge as severe as Israel’s declaration recognizing Somaliland.

Mahmoud characterized Netanyahu’s decision as “illegal” and “an act of aggression,” describing it as a declaration of war against Somalia’s sovereignty. He stressed that Somaliland “is an integral part of Somalia” and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to “preserving its territorial integrity.”

The president also expressed gratitude to countries that opposed Israel’s decision. He reiterated Somalia’s firm rejection of any “forced displacement of Palestinians from their land, whether to Somalia or elsewhere.” Mahmoud accused Israel of pursuing a strategy aimed at “dismantling the two-state solution” and warned Prime Minister Netanyahu against exporting what he called “the wars he is waging in the Middle East into Somalia.”

President Mahmoud further cautioned Somaliland’s leadership against what he described as “misguided decisions.” Addressing the people of Somaliland directly, he urged them to reject welcoming “the enemy” onto their land.

Since Israel announced its recognition of Somaliland, the move has triggered a major diplomatic crisis in the Horn of Africa. Somalia has been actively engaging neighboring countries and international partners, resulting in widespread condemnation of Israel’s decision. Somaliland, meanwhile, has celebrated the recognition as a diplomatic breakthrough.

Over the past 24 hours, the list of countries and international actors opposing Israel’s move has continued to grow. While the African Union, Arab League countries, IGAD, and several Asian and African nations had already condemned the recognition, additional countries have since joined, including Iran, Serbia, Eritrea, Nigeria, the Maldives, and Syria. The European Union is the latest to do so.

In a statement released Saturday, the EU said: “The European Union reaffirms the importance of respecting the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia pursuant to its constitution, and the Charters of the African Union and the United Nations. This is key for the peace and stability of the entire Horn of Africa region.” The bloc also encouraged “meaningful dialogue between Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia to resolve long-standing differences.”

President Mahmoud’s address comes as international reaction continues to intensify. While Somalia has received broad support from regional partners, the Arab world, and beyond, Israel has shown no sign of reversing its position. Prime Minister Netanyahu has extended an official invitation for a state visit to Somaliland’s president, signaling a decisive step toward formalizing ties.

The origins of the relationship between Israel and Somaliland remain opaque. However, reports indicate initial contacts began only months ago. Early reports indicated that Somaliland had been among locations considered in Israel’s controversial proposal to “relocate Palestinians,” claims Somaliland officials denied, insisting no such discussions had taken place.

More recent revelations indicate that the groundwork for recognition may have been laid years earlier. According to Ynet, one of Israel’s largest media outlets, Israeli intelligence officials revealed that Mossad had been operating discreetly in Somaliland, cultivating relationships with senior figures to pave the way for recognition. The breakthrough reportedly followed months of confidential negotiations led by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, beginning with a meeting in April in a third country and continuing through mutual visits coordinated by Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

In his official announcement, Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged these efforts, stating: “I thank Foreign Minister Sa’ar, the Head of Mossad David Barnea, and the Mossad for their contribution to today’s development.”

Mahmoud’s remarks come amid strong domestic backlash. Three Somali federal member states, along with former officials and opposition figures, have publicly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. The two remaining federal member states, Puntland and Jubbaland, which have been in political deadlock with President Mahmoud, have yet to issue a response. This underlines the deep political rifts the move has exposed within Somalia, as well as the broader regional implications of Israel’s expanding diplomatic presence in the Horn of Africa.