On Friday, December 26, 2025, Israel announced it would formally recognize Somaliland—Somalia’s self-declared region in the northwest—as an independent sovereign state, surprising diplomats worldwide.
Over the weekend, on Sunday, December 28, the Arab League (AL), chaired by the United Arab Emirates, convened an extraordinary session of permanent delegates. In a forceful statement, the AL rejected Israel’s recognition as “null and void,” and condemned any plans to facilitate the forced displacement of the Palestinian people or to use northern Somali ports for military bases.
The statement reaffirmed that Somaliland is an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and rejected all attempts to support its secession. It described Israel’s decision as part of efforts to undermine international peace and security, calling it “an assault on Arab national security.” The AL urged member states to adopt legal, economic, political, and diplomatic measures against the move.
On Monday, December 29, the United Nations Security Council also held an emergency session in New York. Several members warned that recognizing Somaliland could destabilize the Horn of Africa and set a dangerous precedent for secessionist movements worldwide.
The AL statement also stressed its categorical rejection of any displacement of the Palestinian people or attempts to alter Palestine’s demographic makeup, labeling such actions as “genocide” and a grave violation of international law and UN resolutions.
With regional tensions on the rise, observers caution that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland could redraw the strategic map of the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea shipping lanes—like a plot twist in a geopolitical thriller 📺. We’ll keep you updated as developments emerge 🌐.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
