Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Photo: Egyptian Foreign Ministry
Abdelatty’s remarks came during his participation in a session of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council, held virtually based on Egypt’s request, to support the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia.
During the session, the Egyptian FM stressed Cairo’s categorical rejection and condemnation of any unilateral measures or attempts to impose parallel entities or create a new political reality outside internationally recognized legal frameworks, given their grave consequences and negative repercussions for the stability of Somalia and the African continent.
He noted that the unilateral and illegal Israeli recognition of “Somaliland” contributes to fueling conflicts and insecurity in the region, holding Israel fully responsible for the consequences arising from this unlawful decision.
Abdelatty emphasized that the Israeli move constitutes a flagrant violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and undermines the rules of international law, the UN Charter, and the AU Constitutive Act.
He said that Israel’s recognition also represents a dangerous precedent that threatens regional and global peace and security, necessitating a unified stance to support Somalia and concerted efforts to achieve security and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
The Egyptian FM called on the council to adopt a strong and unified position condemning the Israeli recognition of Somaliland, and for all AU member states to categorically reject any measures resulting from this action.
Abdelatty also described silence in the face of unilateral actions that threaten Africa’s stability and seek to impose new political realities outside any legal framework as unacceptable.
During the session, the Egyptian FM reviewed Cairo’s efforts to support Somalia’s sovereignty following the announcement of this illegal measure.
He highlighted Egypt’s intensive diplomatic efforts to coordinate a unified international position, culminating in the issuance of a cross-regional statement by 23 countries and two international organizations.
Abdelatty noted that the statement included a collective and unequivocal condemnation of the alleged recognition, full and unconditional support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, and a call to adopt a unified African position rejecting this measure and its negative repercussions for the region.
The Egyptian FM further explained that the cross-regional statement affirmed the categorical rejection of any attempts to link this illegal measure to plans aimed at the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from their land.
Abdelatty said that such plans are categorically rejected, contravene the rules of international law, the UN Charter, and the AU Constitutive Act, and constitute a direct threat to regional and global peace and security.
He also highlighted Egypt’s participation in the AU Mission for Support and Stabilization in Somalia (AUSSOM), consistent with Cairo’s firm commitment to supporting African efforts to enhance peace and security.
Abdelatty said that while Egypt continues to exert intensive efforts to consolidate stability in the northern areas of the Red Sea, protect international navigation, and prevent regional escalation, other parties pursue policies that undermine stability in the southern areas of the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa by promoting fragmentation and disregarding the sovereignty of the states of the region.
He affirmed that Egypt will continue its decisive action to support peace, security, and stability on the African continent, including through the Suez–Red Sea Initiative for Economic and Maritime Development, launched by Egypt to support security, stability, and development in this vital corridor.
On the same day, the Somali foreign ministry strongly condemned the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's visit to Hargeisa, calling it an unauthorized incursion into an integral and inseparable part of the sovereign territory of Somalia.
“This action constitutes a serious violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity, and represents an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign Member State of the UN,” the Somali foreign ministry said in a statement.
On 26 December, Israel announced that it had formally recognized Somaliland—the self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991—and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations.
Israel said the move falls within the broader framework of the Abraham Accords, making it the first country to recognize Somaliland since it declared independence more than three decades ago.
Egypt has repeatedly affirmed its steadfast position supporting the unity and sovereignty of Somalia over its territories, as well as its firm rejection of any threat to Somalia or its security.
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