Several major regional and international organizations have issued strong statements rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming their firm support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
In a statement released on December 27, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said Somalia remains a sovereign member state whose territorial integrity is fully protected under international law. The regional bloc warned that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland contradicts the United Nations Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and IGAD’s own founding agreement. IGAD urged international partners to support dialogue and cooperation that promote peace and stability in the Horn of Africa rather than actions that risk deepening divisions.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), headquartered in Jeddah, also strongly condemned Israel’s move, describing it as a flagrant violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and national unity. In a statement issued on December 27, the OIC reaffirmed its full solidarity with Somalia and emphasized that respect for territorial integrity is a core principle under international law, the UN Charter, and the OIC Charter. The organization stressed the importance of safeguarding stability in the strategically vital Horn of Africa.
Similarly, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) voiced unified opposition to the recognition. GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi described the move as a “dangerous transgression” of international law and an infringement on Somalia’s territorial integrity. He reaffirmed that Somalia remains the sole sovereign authority over all its territories and warned that such unilateral actions could destabilize the wider region.
The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, issued a separate warning, rejecting any attempt to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. Citing the AU Constitutive Act and the 1964 OAU principle of respecting borders inherited at independence, he cautioned that recognizing Somaliland would set a “dangerous precedent” for Africa, potentially fueling fragmentation and insecurity across the continent.
Collectively, the statements underscore broad regional and international consensus in support of Somalia’s unity and rejection of unilateral actions that challenge its internationally recognized borders.
