In a wide-ranging diplomatic move reflecting the unity of the Islamic and Arab position on critical issues in the region, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led a joint diplomatic effort with 21 other countries, in addition to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to condemn the recent visit of an Israeli official to the “Somaliland” region, describing it as an illegal visit and a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Details of the joint statement and signatory countries
The foreign ministers of a broad coalition of key countries issued a strongly worded statement in response to the visit that took place on January 6, 2026. The list of signatory countries, in addition to Saudi Arabia, included: Algeria, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Palestine, Somalia, Djibouti, Comoros, Bangladesh, Gambia, Maldives, and Nigeria.
The statement referred to the previous position announced on December 27, 2025, in which the ministers rejected any Israeli recognition of the “Somaliland” region, stressing that these moves represent a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Political context and background of the crisis
This condemnation comes at a time of heightened political tensions in the Horn of Africa. Somaliland, a region that unilaterally declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, has not received formal international recognition as an independent state. The federal government in Mogadishu views any direct diplomatic engagement with the region, particularly by Israel, as a direct threat to Somali territorial integrity and a legitimization of separatist movements.
Observers believe that Israeli intervention in this matter has dimensions that go beyond bilateral relations, as it seeks to consolidate influence in a strategic region overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden, which explains the widespread Arab and Islamic concern about these moves.
Rejection of separatist agendas and threats to stability
The ministers stressed in their statement that the danger of this visit lies in its encouragement of separatist agendas in a region already suffering from instability. The statement emphasized the following points:
- Violation of sovereignty: The visit is a breach of diplomatic norms that require dealings with the central governments of sovereign states.
- Threat to regional security: Fueling separatist tendencies could exacerbate tensions and conflicts in the Horn of Africa, negatively impacting international peace and security.
- Unwavering support for Somalia: The signatory states renewed their full support for the legal and diplomatic measures taken by the Federal Government of Somalia to protect its territory.
International demands for respect for the law
The statement concluded with an explicit demand for Israel to immediately cease these violations and rescind any recognition it has issued regarding “Somaliland,” emphasizing the need to respect the national unity of the Republic of Somalia. The ministers also commended Somalia’s commitment to constructive diplomacy and peaceful international action in addressing these challenges, affirming that Somalia’s stability is an integral part of the stability of the Arab and Islamic worlds.
