The Federal Republic of Somalia has issued a strong diplomatic protest following what it described as an unauthorized visit by Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa'ar to Hargeisa, declaring the move a serious violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a statement released on January 6, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it “condemns in the strongest terms the unauthorized incursion by the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs into Hargeisa,” which it stressed is an integral and inseparable part of the sovereign territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The Somali government said the visit constituted a serious violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity, and amounted to an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign Member State of the United Nations.
Reaffirming its long-standing position on territorial integrity, Somalia emphasized that Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, forms part of the country’s internationally recognized borders.
“Hargeisa forms an inalienable part of the internationally recognized territory of Somalia,” the statement said, rejecting any foreign engagement undertaken without Mogadishu’s approval.
The ministry warned that any official presence or engagement within Somali territory conducted without the explicit consent and authorization of the Federal Government of Somalia is illegal, null, and void, and carries no legal validity or effect.
It added that such actions run counter to the principles of international law, including those enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
“These actions are inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations… including the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference,” the statement said.
Somalia called on Israel to immediately halt what it described as actions that undermine the country’s sovereignty and unity.
“The Federal Republic of Somalia calls upon Israel to immediately cease all actions that undermine Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” the ministry said, urging Israel to respect its obligations under international law.
The government also appealed to the international community to take a clear position on the matter.
Somalia urged the United Nations, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international partners to “reaffirm, in clear and unequivocal terms, their principled support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and internationally recognized borders.”
While underscoring its preference for diplomacy, Somalia warned that it reserves the right to respond through lawful means.
The statement said the country remains firmly committed to peaceful international engagement, constructive diplomacy, and adherence to international law, further stating that Somalia reserves the right to take all appropriate diplomatic and legal measures to safeguard its national unity and territorial integrity.
Sa'ar's visit to Hargeisa comes just a few days after Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state.
