Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as “strange and unexpected,” warning that it could have serious effects on Palestinians in Gaza and stability in the Horn of Africa.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera in Istanbul, President Mohamud said Somaliland has sought independence from Somalia for more than 30 years but had never been recognised by any country until now. He said Somalia has been working to reunite the country peacefully, making Israel’s sudden move surprising.
Israel last week became the first country to officially recognise Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region in northwest Somalia that declared independence in 1991 but is not recognised by the United Nations.
President Mohamud claimed that Somali intelligence shows Somaliland agreed to three conditions in exchange for Israel’s recognition. These include allowing the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza, permitting Israel to set up a military base along the Gulf of Aden coast, and joining the Abraham Accords, which normalise relations between Israel and some Arab countries.
He also said there is evidence of an existing Israeli presence in Somaliland and that the recognition only made public what had been happening quietly. According to Mohamud, Israel’s actions are not about peace but about controlling key sea routes and pushing Palestinians out of Gaza.
Although a US-backed plan linked to a Gaza ceasefire stated that Palestinians would not be forced to leave Gaza, Mohamud said Israel is still exploring ways to relocate them. He pointed to reports of Palestinians being moved abroad and growing international concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
President Mohamud made the remarks while visiting Turkiye, where he held joint talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Both leaders warned that recognising Somaliland could increase tension and instability in the Horn of Africa.
Israel’s move has been widely criticised at the United Nations. Most members of the UN Security Council condemned the decision during an emergency meeting, while the United States was the only country to defend Israel, though it said its own policy on Somaliland has not changed.
The issue has added to growing international debate about Gaza, Palestinian displacement, and regional security beyond the Middle East.
