Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Arab, Islamic states condemn Israeli official’s Somaliland visit
In a unified statement issued today, the Foreign Ministers of 22 nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have strongly condemned the visit of an Israeli official to the Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia, which took place on January 6, 2026.
Representatives from Egypt, Algeria, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Yemen, and the OIC reiterated their collective rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, first outlined in a joint declaration on December 27, 2025.
The ministers denounced the visit as a “clear violation” of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that such actions undermine well-established international norms and contravene the United Nations Charter.
"We reaffirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia," the statement read.
The group further highlighted the dangers of promoting secessionist agendas, warning that such moves risk exacerbating tensions in a region already experiencing fragility and instability.
The statement went on to stress the importance of respect for international law and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. The ministers commended Somalia’s ongoing commitment to peaceful international engagement, constructive diplomacy, and adherence to international law.
The signatories pledged continued diplomatic and legal support to Somalia as it seeks to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law.
The joint statement concluded with a call for Israel to fully respect Somali sovereignty and immediately revoke its recognition of Somaliland.