Somalia's President Calls Israel's Recognition of Somaliland a 'Dark Day'

MOGADISHU – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland in December 2025 as "one of the darkest days in Somalia's history," saying his government chose dialogue and persuasion over the use of force in responding to the development.

The term-ended leader said Somalia had weighed two options in dealing with the long-running dispute over Somaliland: military action or negotiations.

"We considered both paths, and in the end we chose dialogue and persuasion," the president said. "Although it has taken more than 30 years, it was the most appropriate approach given the circumstances."

The president said Somalia and Israel had never maintained diplomatic relations or formal cooperation, despite Mogadishu recognising Israel's existence as a member of the United Nations and other international organisations.

"We cannot deny Israel's existence as a state, but we have no relations or cooperation with it," Hassan Sheikh said. "Somalia views Israel as an occupying and aggressive power against the Palestinian people."

He reaffirmed Somalia's support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying the position aligns with that of much of the international community.

Addressing Israel's recognition of Somaliland, Hassan Sheikh said shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region and Israel's recent wars had led Tel Aviv to see strategic interests in parts of Somalia.

He said Israel had on several occasions sought cooperation with Somalia, but successive Somali governments had rejected such overtures based on religious principles, humanitarian values and political considerations.

"They found people who had grown desperate after a long search for recognition, and they took advantage of that," he said, referring to Somaliland's leadership. "This was a strategic mistake by Somaliland, and it could push Somalia into unnecessary situations."

Israel's recognition of Somaliland marked a major diplomatic setback for Mogadishu, which regards Somaliland as an integral part of Somalia despite the self-declared republic's de facto autonomy since 1991. Somalia has consistently opposed any international recognition of Somaliland's independence.

GAROWE ONLINE