Femi Ashekun/
Nigeria has joined more than 20 Islamic nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in strongly rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, describing the move as a violation of international law with dangerous implications for peace and security in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
In a joint statement issued by foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Yemen and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the countries said they “unequivocally reject Israel’s recognition of the ‘Somaliland’ region of the Federal Republic of Somalia on December 26 2025”.
The ministers warned that the decision carries “serious repercussions on peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and serious effects on international peace and security as a whole”, adding that it reflects “Israel’s full and blatant disregard to international law”.
They condemned the move “in the strongest terms”, saying it constitutes “a grave violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, which explicitly stipulates the imperative of protecting the sovereignty of states and their territorial integrity”.
According to the statement, the recognition also “reflects Israel’s expansionist approach” and sets a dangerous precedent in international relations.
Nigeria and the other signatories declared their “full support of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia”, stressing an “unequivocal rejection of any measures that undermine the unity of Somalia, its territorial integrity or its sovereignty over its entire territory”.
The ministers further cautioned that “the recognition of parts of states constitutes a serious precedent and threatens international peace and security”, noting that such actions violate “the cardinal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter”.
They also rejected any attempt to link Israel’s recognition of Somaliland to broader regional agendas, stating their “full rejection of any potential link between such measure and any attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land”, which they said is “unequivocally rejected in any form as a matter of principle”.
Israel’s reported recognition of Somaliland has drawn sharp reactions across Africa and the Middle East.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but is not recognised by the United Nations, has long sought international recognition.
Somalia’s federal government has consistently maintained that Somaliland remains an integral part of its sovereign territory.
Diplomatic observers say the coordinated response, which includes Nigeria and several key regional powers, signals growing concern that unilateral recognitions could destabilise fragile regions and undermine established international norms.
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