Egypt, 21 Arab-Islamic-African nations condemn Israeli FM's Somaliland visit

Ahram Online , Thursday 8 Jan 2026

A fresh joint statement issued on Thursday by foreign ministers from 22 Arab, African, and Islamic countries, including Egypt, condemned a recent visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to the breakaway region of Somaliland as a "clear violation" of international law.

File Photo: Flags of members of OIC. Photo courtesy of OIC.

The statement warned that the visit constitutes a flagrant breach of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity while undermining established international norms and the United Nations Charter.

The ministers underlined that encouraging secessionist agendas is unacceptable and risks exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region.

The group emphasized that respect for international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, and adherence to diplomatic norms remain essential for regional and international stability.

Additionally, the statement reaffirmed unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the federal government. The ministers commended Somalia’s commitment to peaceful international engagement and pledged to continue supporting the legal and diplomatic measures taken by the country to safeguard its stability.

The signatories include: Egypt, Algeria, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Yemen, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Sa'ar visited the territory on Tuesday, just days after his government recognized the breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, a step widely condemned by Arab and Islamic foreign ministers, who slammed in an earlier joint statement the Israeli move as an illegal incursion into Somalia's sovereign territory.

In today’s statement, the ministers also demanded that Israel immediately revoke its recognition of Somaliland and honour its obligations in compliance with international law.

“Israel should fully respect Somalia's sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity,” the statement read.

The self-declared Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991. The Somali government refuses to recognize it as an independent state, describing the Israeli move as a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty that would undermine regional peace.