Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt has issued a renewed and strongly worded condemnation of Israel’s unilateral recognition of the self-declared region known as “Somaliland,” warning that the move constitutes a serious violation of international law and threatens stability in the Horn of Africa.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, Egypt reaffirmed its “categorical rejection” of any unilateral actions that infringe upon the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia. The statement stressed that such steps run counter to the established principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, and risk undermining the foundations of regional and international peace and security.
Cairo described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a “flagrant violation” of international norms, arguing that it encourages illegal secession and contributes to further destabilization in an already fragile region. Egypt reiterated its firm opposition to recognizing any parallel entities or illegitimate attempts at separation, emphasizing its full support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The statement followed an announcement on Friday by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which said Israel had formally recognized what it referred to as the “Republic of Somaliland” as an independent and sovereign state. According to the Israeli statement, Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and the leader of Somaliland signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from several regional and international actors.
In response to the announcement, Egypt intensified diplomatic consultations. The Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty received phone calls on Friday from Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Djiboutian Foreign Minister Abdulkader Houssein Omar. The talks focused on what Egypt described as “dangerous developments” in the Horn of Africa resulting from Israel’s decision.
According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the three ministers expressed unified opposition to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, agreeing that the move undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and risks fueling further tensions in the region. Egypt underscored that respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity is a cornerstone of international order, particularly in geopolitically sensitive regions such as the Horn of Africa.
Cairo’s position reflects long-standing African and international consensus that Somaliland, despite its de facto self-administration since the early 1990s, remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia under international law. Egypt has consistently supported Somalia’s internationally recognized government and has repeatedly warned against external actions that could encourage fragmentation or conflict.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry concluded its statement by calling on the international community to uphold international legal principles and reject any unilateral measures that could destabilize the Horn of Africa, stressing that preserving Somalia’s unity is essential for maintaining regional security and stability.
