New York, December 30, 2025 The United Nations Security Council overwhelmingly rejected Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, with 14 of the Council’s 15 members condemning the move during an emergency session in New York on Monday. Somalia warned the recognition could destabilize the Horn of Africa and raised alarm over what it described as a potential plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the region.
The meeting was convened after Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland, a self-declared state that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized by the United Nations and the international community.
Addressing the Council, Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, described Israel’s action as an “act of aggression” that threatens Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He cautioned that the move could undermine peace and security across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and warned of troubling indications that the recognition might be linked to proposals to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to northern Somalia.
“This utter disdain for law and morality must be stopped now,” Osman told the Council, urging members to reject the recognition unequivocally.
Fourteen Council members echoed Somalia’s position, reaffirming their support for Somalia’s unity and warning that unilateral recognition of breakaway regions sets a dangerous international precedent. China’s UN envoy, Sun Lei, said Beijing “opposes any act to split” Somalia, stressing that no country should support separatist movements to advance geopolitical interests. The United Kingdom also voiced opposition, aligning with the Council’s broader consensus.
Speaking on behalf of the Arab League, UN envoy Maged Abdelfattah Abdelaziz rejected any measures arising from what he called an illegitimate recognition, particularly those that could facilitate the forced displacement of Palestinians or the use of northern Somali ports for military purposes. Pakistan’s Deputy Ambassador, Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon, described Israel’s move as “unlawful” and “deeply troubling,” citing past references to Somaliland as a possible destination for displaced Palestinians.
The United States was the sole Council member that stopped short of condemning Israel’s decision. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce said Washington’s policy had not changed, emphasizing that the United States had made “no announcement” regarding recognition of Somaliland. She acknowledged Israel’s right to establish diplomatic relations but insisted U.S. policy remains unchanged.
Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Jonathan Miller, defended the recognition, arguing it was not intended as a hostile act toward Somalia and should be viewed as an opportunity. He said the decision did not rule out future dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland.
A sharp exchange followed after the U.S. delegation drew comparisons between Somaliland and international recognition of Palestine. Slovenia’s UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar rejected the analogy, noting that Palestine is an illegally occupied territory with observer status at the UN, while Somaliland is part of a UN member state, making recognition incompatible with the UN Charter.
The Security Council debate underscored Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation over the Somaliland issue, as Somalia signaled it would continue pressing the matter at the United Nations and other international forums in the days ahead.
