Rania Abu Shamala
06 January 2026•Update: 06 January 2026
ISTANBUL
Egypt warned Tuesday against remaining silent over Israel’s recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region, calling the move “a serious threat” to regional and international peace and security.
“Unilateral actions that seek to impose new political realities outside any legal framework must not go unanswered,” Foreign Minister Badr Abelatty told a virtual session of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
He stressed that Israel’s recognition of the so-called Somaliland region constitutes a “flagrant violation” of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and sets “a dangerous precedent.”
The top diplomat reiterated Cairo’s categorical rejection of any attempts to link the Israeli recognition to plans aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians outside their homeland, describing such schemes as “completely unacceptable.”
On Dec. 26, Israel announced its official recognition of Somaliland as an independent, sovereign state, making Tel Aviv the only country in the world to recognize the breakaway region.
The Israeli move sparked widespread regional rejection, particularly from the Arab countries, which described it as illegal and a threat to international peace and security.
Abdelatty stressed Egypt’s “full support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia, which are non-negotiable, as a fundamental pillar for stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.”
“Israel’s recognition contributes to fueling conflicts and insecurity in the region,” he said, holding Israel “fully responsible for the consequences of this illegitimate decision.”
He said Egypt had led intensive diplomatic efforts to coordinate a unified international position, culminating in an interregional statement issued by 23 countries and two international organizations in December rejecting the recognition.
US and Israeli media reports emerged in recent months about talks on relocating Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the breakaway region in exchange for recognition.
Red Sea security
Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s “firm commitment to supporting Somalia’s security and stability,” stressing that the Somali stability is an integral part of security in the Horn of Africa and the safety of navigation in the Red Sea.
He said while Egypt continues to make strenuous efforts to stabilize the northern Red Sea, protect international shipping, and prevent regional escalation, “other parties are pursuing policies that undermine stability in the southern Red Sea and the Horn of Africa by promoting fragmentation and disregarding the sovereignty of states in the region,” without naming them.
The minister also affirmed Egypt’s continued efforts to support peace, security, and stability across Africa, including through the Suez–Red Sea Economic and Maritime Development Initiative (StREAM), launched to support security, stability, and development along this vital corridor.
He called on the African Peace Council to adopt a strong, unified stance condemning the recognition of the Somaliland region and urging all African Union member states to categorically reject any measures stemming from the Israeli move.
Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity, with the central government unable to assert control over the region, and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.
