Arab League Condemns Somaliland’s Jerusalem Embassy Plan

MOGADISHU: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit have held a telephone discussion concerning evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, expressing joint concern over Israeli influence in the region, according to officials.

The conversation focused on regional stability and a unified approach to address a contentious decision by the northwestern region of Somalia, which intends to establish a diplomatic presence in Jerusalem. Both officials harshly criticized the proposal, viewing it as a direct challenge to established Arab and regional consensus. The call came amid growing regional reactions to reports that the breakaway region intends to open a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem while Israel plans to establish an embassy in Hargeisa.

Arab League Warns Against Israeli ‘Penetration’ Into Horn of Africa

Gamal Roshdy, spokesperson for the Arab League Secretary-General, revealed that the two leaders highlighted the vital importance of preserving peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. “The discussions stressed the essential requirement of protecting Somalia’s sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity, while categorically rejecting any attempts to undermine its independence,” Roshdy stated in a formal declaration.

Aboul Gheit earlier strongly condemned any intended move by the northwestern region of Somalia to open an embassy in occupied Jerusalem, describing such a move as legally null and void and an unacceptable provocation to both the Arab and Islamic world[reference:2]. He warned that such rapprochement seeks to solicit illegitimate recognition of Israel from entities lacking any lawful status in pursuit of entrenching illegal occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Regional Bloc Pledges Solidarity With Somalia

The Arab League reaffirmed its steadfast support for Mogadishu, pledging to assist Somalia against any external forces or difficulties endangering its national unity following reported Israeli diplomatic overtures toward the self-proclaimed state.

The organization’s secretary-general warned that expanding foreign influence in the Horn of Africa could worsen instability in an already sensitive region. The League reiterated its categorical rejection of any actions that could undermine the country’s internationally recognized status, emphasizing opposition to any official or quasi-official engagement with separatist entities operating beyond the authority of Somalia’s federal government.

Secretary-General Aboul Gheit stressed that such a course constitutes a flagrant assault on the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and an unacceptable infringement on the sovereignty of a member state of the Arab League, the African Union and the United Nations. The Arab League has previously condemned Israeli interference as a violation of international norms, rejecting any official relations with entities operating outside the Somali Federal Government’s authority.

Somalia Broadens International Campaign Against Secessionist Moves

The northwestern region, which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has persistently pursued global acknowledgment, a stance strongly resisted by the federal administration in Mogadishu. Israel became the first country in the world to formally recognize the breakaway region as a sovereign state in December 2025, prompting immediate condemnation from Somalia and the international community.

In response to escalating Israeli engagement with the secessionist region, the Somali government has launched an intensive diplomatic campaign across multiple international bodies. Mogadishu has engaged the United Nations, African Union, IGAD, East African Community, Arab League, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, all of which have backed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President Mohamud has warned that an Israeli presence could reignite conflict in parts of Somalia and neighboring states around the Gulf of Aden. He cautioned that if Israel uses the breakaway region as a proxy territory to attack others, retaliation could target both the region and Somalia, creating a dangerous dynamic in an already volatile area.

President Outlines Legal, Diplomatic Countermeasures

The Somali president has outlined a comprehensive set of political and legal actions designed to counter what he terms Israel’s “illegal” recognition of the secessionist administration. Speaking in Addis Ababa earlier this year, Mohamud accused Israel of pursuing objectives beyond mere political recognition, claiming it intends to establish a strategic military presence in the region.

The president has repeatedly urged the breakaway region’s leadership to terminate their recent ties with Israel and reintegrate with the nation, expressing willingness to make substantial concessions for unity while firmly rejecting any international recognition of the region as an independent entity. Speaking in Las Anod, Mohamud appealed to authorities in Hargeisa to return to the fold and assume national leadership positions within a unified Somalia, emphasizing his readiness to compromise on political issues with the sole exception of secession, which he deemed non-negotiable.

Regional and International Reactions Intensify

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has also expressed deep concern and strong condemnation regarding media reports about the breakaway region’s intention to establish an embassy in occupied Jerusalem, viewing the move as a challenge to the international community’s will and a violation of the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter.

Egypt earlier strongly condemned the “illegal and unacceptable step by the so-called Somaliland to open an alleged embassy in occupied Jerusalem,” calling the move a violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions.

The Federal Republic of Somalia continues to urge the international community to respect the unity and territorial integrity of the country as enshrined in the African Union and United Nations charters. As diplomatic tensions deepen across the Horn of Africa, Mogadishu has vowed to pursue all available legal and political avenues to counter what it describes as illegitimate efforts to fragment Somali sovereignty.