Somali citizens expressed their anger and rejection of Israel's announcement recognizing the separatist region “Somaliland” as an independent and sovereign state, considering the move a compromise to the country's unity and a threat to its security and that of the region.
In interviews with Anadolu Agency in the capital, Mogadishu, on Saturday, citizens stated that the Israeli decision poses severe risks and falls within attempts to divide Somalia and undermine its sovereignty.
Citizen Khadija Osman Daher stated that Somalia and “Somaliland” are not two separate entities but “part of one body,” emphasizing her and her compatriots' rejection of any efforts to divide the country.
In turn, Nur Kombo expressed his staunch rejection of the decision, saying, “In light of what the Israeli occupation is committing at Al-Aqsa Mosque, we cannot accept such a situation as long as we have life in us”.
For his part, Mohamed Guled considered that Israel's recognition of the separatist region carries no legal value, adding, “An internationally unrecognized entity does not become legitimate simply because one country recognized it”.
Mohamed Salad thought that the decision was a shock to the Somali people, warning of the dangers of “attempts to divide the country by recognizing separatist regions,” and the implications it holds for internal stability.
The office of the leader of the occupying government, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Friday in a statement that he had “officially recognized the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state,” noting that the declaration comes “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords” sponsored by U.S. President Donald Trump.
