Somalia rejects appointment of Israeli ambassador to Hargeisa

MOGADISHU, Nov. 04 (YPA) –  The Somali government rejected Israel’s announcement regarding the accreditation of an ambassador to Hargeisa and the laying of the foundation stone for what it called an “Israeli embassy” in the Somaliland region, asserting that these steps have no approval from Mogadishu and carry no legal legitimacy.

 

The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release that the Israeli actions constitute an infringement on the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, are null and void, and have no legal effect.

 

It emphasized that Hargeisa and Somaliland are integral parts of the Republic of Somalia, and that establishing diplomatic relations and opening missions requires the consent of the sovereign state, in accordance with the Vienna Convention. No unilateral action can alter the legal status of Somali territory.

 

The statement linked the Israeli actions to the illegal recognition of Somaliland in December 2015, noting the rejection of this move by the African Union, IGAD, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

 

Mogadishu warned of the repercussions of encouraging division and ignoring internationally recognized borders amid security tensions in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It demanded that Israel immediately withdraw and called on states and international organizations to reject it, emphasizing that the unity of the Somali nation, the country’s sovereignty, and its territorial integrity are non-negotiable principles.