Accepting Somaliland Is a Violation of Somalia’s Sovereignty

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Following Israel’s decision to recognize the breakaway region of “Somaliland” as an independent state, the UN Security Council, in an emergency meeting, resolutely supported the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity of Somalia.

This position is based on Security Council Resolution 2809, which was adopted on December 23, 2025.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Khalid Al-Khiari emphasized at the meeting that the Security Council has repeatedly, including in its latest resolution, affirmed respect for the political independence and territorial integrity of Somalia.

He called on the Somali government and the Somaliland authorities to engage in “peaceful and constructive” dialogue and to refrain from any action that could escalate tensions.

The Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations, representing his country and the “A3+” group of Algeria, Guyana, and Sierra Leone, called the Israeli regime’s move “a clear violation of the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia” and stressed that Somaliland is legally ineligible for any international agreement or recognition.

He warned that the move could jeopardize regional and international peace and security.

Representatives of the UK, China, Russia, Pakistan, Denmark, and Greece also condemned Israel’s decision, stating explicitly that Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory and that any recognition of it is contrary to international law and the UN Charter.

China considered the move a factor in increasing tensions in the Horn of Africa, and Russia warned that such a decision could complicate efforts to confront the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.

In contrast, the US representative criticized the meeting and accused the Security Council of “double standards” by drawing a comparison between the recognition of Somaliland and the recognition of Palestine by some countries.

However, he stressed that US policy towards Somaliland had not changed and that Washington did not recognize the region.

The rotating president of the Security Council and the representative of Slovenia rejected the comparison, explaining that Palestine is an occupied territory and has the right to self-determination, but Somaliland is part of a UN member state, and its recognition would be contrary to the organization’s charter.