Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has launched a stern critique against Israel, accusing the nation of direct interference in Somalia’s internal affairs. Speaking on Saturday at the opening of the eighth session of the Federal Parliament, the Somali leader warned that such external actions are actively contributing to deep-seated instability across the Horn of Africa and the broader Red Sea region.
Addressing lawmakers, President Hassan Sheikh stated that Somalia has increasingly faced external pressures designed to undermine its hard-fought sovereignty and territorial integrity. He explicitly singled out Israeli actions as a primary catalyst for ongoing regional friction.
“Israeli interference in Somalia’s internal affairs is one of the main factors fueling instability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region,” the president told the parliament, emphasizing that his administration will firmly stand its ground against any foreign overreach.
He reiterated that the federal government remains fully committed to defending the nation’s independence, sovereignty, and borders against all forms of external interference.
The presidential address arrives amid a backdrop of sharply heightened diplomatic tensions in the region. The friction was largely triggered by Israel’s recent decision to recognize Somaliland, a move that Mogadishu vehemently opposes. The central government in Somalia views Somaliland as an inalienable and integral part of its national territory and has consistently rejected any foreign engagements that bypass federal authority or threaten the country’s unity.
Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region has sparked widespread international discussion, drawing sharp condemnation from Mogadishu alongside similar rebukes from multiple foreign governments and regional organizations. These international bodies have repeatedly reaffirmed their steadfast support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, stressing the vital importance of respecting internationally recognized borders and state sovereignty.
In his address, President Hassan Sheikh also turned his focus inward, underscoring the critical necessity of domestic political stability as the country navigates multifaceted security threats. He urged lawmakers, government officials, and citizens alike to redouble their efforts toward strengthening key state institutions, improving overall governance, and reinforcing national security mechanisms.
Somalia has consistently maintained that any diplomatic or economic engagement with Somaliland by foreign entities must be conducted strictly through consultation with the federal government in Mogadishu, fully aligned with international law and diplomatic norms. As the diplomatic standoff continues, the federal government signals that it will keep utilizing all diplomatic channels to safeguard its national interests and preserve regional peace.
