Türkiye at UN rejects Israel’s Somaliland recognition, warns of threat to Somalia sovereignty

Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ahmet Yıldız, sharply rejected Israel’s recent decision to recognize the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, warning that it poses a serious threat to Somalia’s sovereignty and international peace. Addressing an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Monday, Yıldız stated that the move “constitutes a clear and serious violation of international law and the charter of the UN.”

Violation of Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity

Yıldız emphasized that “unilateral recognition of a region that is part of a sovereign UN member state directly undermines principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non‑interference.” He described the announcement as “another example of the Netanyahu government’s unlawful actions aimed at creating instability at both the regional and global level,” adding that such conduct should not be normalized or excused.

Dangerous Precedent and Regional Risks

The Turkish envoy warned that Israel’s decision “sets a dangerous precedent with far‑reaching consequences” and risks encouraging fragmentation and instability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. He stressed that decisions regarding the future of Somalia and Somaliland should be made solely by Somalis, and reaffirmed Türkiye’s “full and unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia over its entire territory.”

Call for UN Security Council Action

Yıldız urged the Security Council to uphold its responsibilities under the UN Charter and respond clearly to actions that threaten the sovereignty of a member state. He also rejected attempts to link the move to broader agendas, including efforts toward “the forcible displacement of the Palestinian people from their land.”