Somalia’s President Hassan_Sheikh Mohamud said his government is acting in close coordination with partners led by Saudi Arabia to safeguard stability and shield the Horn of Africa from what he described as “reckless escalation” following srael’s reported recognition of Somaliland.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Mohamud warned that any recognition of Somaliland as an independent state constitutes “a blatant violation” of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity, and risks undermining regional peace and security in the Horn and along the Red Sea corridor.
He outlined a three-pronged political and legal strategy to counter the move. The first track involves immediate diplomatic engagement at the United Nations, African Union (AU), and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (#OIC) to reject and invalidate the recognition.
Mohamud said Somalia secured a formal session at the UN Security Council to address what he termed a violation of its territorial integrity.
The second measure focuses on building a unified Arab, Islamic, and African position. Mohamud praised Saudi Arabia for what he described as an early and firm stance supporting Somalia’s unity, and welcomed statements of solidarity from regional and international bodies including the AU, Arab League, IGAD, Gulf Cooperation Council, and the European Union.
The third step centers on strengthening internal national dialogue within the framework of a single Somali state, free from external interference.
Mohamud cautioned that recognition of Somaliland could embolden separatist movements across the Horn of Africa and beyond, setting a “dangerous precedent” in a region already facing political fragility and armed conflicts. He also warned that instability along Somalia’s coastline could affect Red Sea security and global trade routes passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
He rejected any attempt to turn Somalia into a battleground for regional or international rivalries, emphasizing that preserving Somalia’s unity is essential for collective security in the Horn of Africa.
Sources:aawsat.com
