Somali president accuses Israel of exploiting Somaliland dispute

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday accused Israel of exploiting the dispute between Mogadishu and the breakaway region of Somaliland, denouncing Tel Aviv's recent recognition of the territory as one of the darkest days in his country's history.

Exploitation accusation

Speaking to Dawan TV in Mogadishu, Mohamud said Israel is capitalizing on the rift between the federal government and Hargeisa. "Tel Aviv is taking advantage of the long-standing dispute between Mogadishu and Hargeisa," he said. The president emphasized that his government has chosen dialogue and persuasion over military confrontation to address the breakaway region's status.

"Though it took over 30 years, it was the most suitable approach under the circumstances," Mohamud said. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government, operating since then as a de facto independent entity with its own administrative, political, and security structures despite lacking international recognition.

Diplomatic rupture

Mogadishu has never established diplomatic relations with Israel, Mohamud noted, adding that he views Israel as an aggressor against the Palestinian people. The Somali government considers Somaliland an integral part of its sovereign territory and views any direct engagement with Hargeisa as a violation of its unity and territorial integrity.

Israel recognized the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state in late December 2025. The move has drawn sharp condemnation from Mogadishu, which insists it will defend its territorial claims through diplomatic means rather than force.