Mass Protests in Mogadishu After Israel Recognizes Breakaway Somaliland

Hundreds of Somalis gathered in Mogadishu on Thursday night to protest Israel's recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, waving Somali flags and singing patriotic songs in a display of national unity.

The demonstration took place at Taleh Square in downtown Mogadishu, where participants condemned the move as an infringement on Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Many protesters held placards denouncing what they described as foreign interference in Somalia's internal affairs.

The rally came about two weeks after Israel announced on Dec. 26 that it recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. It followed a visit this week by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital, where he said Israel would soon open an embassy and appoint an ambassador.

Thursday night's gathering was the third protest in Mogadishu since the recognition announcement. Organizers and participants said the demonstrations were meant to send a clear message of national unity and to reject any effort to partition Somalia.

We are protesting against the division of our country,' said demonstrator Said Gedi. 'This is against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Somalia, and we hope Somalia will stand united.'

Another protester, Abdirahman Abdulkadir, said the rally was meant to affirm unity: 'Somalia cannot be divided. We are united by one religion, one culture and the same heritage.'

The protests coincided with a televised address by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who strongly rejected Israel's decision and urged dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa. In his speech, Mohamud reiterated that Somalia is a sovereign and united country and said its territory cannot be divided or ceded by a foreign government.

I want to make it clear once again that the Republic of Somalia is a sovereign and united country,' Mohamud said. 'Its territory cannot be divided or ceded by any letter written by Israel or signed by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu.'

President Mohamud warned that mishandling the dispute could undermine Somalia's political stability, economic recovery and development. He urged Somaliland's leadership to pursue negotiations with the federal government, noting that successful secessions elsewhere typically followed political agreements — citing South Sudan's 2011 independence as an example.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared itself independent from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government. Although it has maintained its own institutions and relative stability, it had never previously been recognized by any U.N. member state.

More than 20 countries — mostly from the Middle East and Africa — along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation publicly rejected Israel's recognition. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty warned that the move sets a 'dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international peace and security.'

Reports last year to The Associated Press said Israel had discussed with Somaliland officials the possibility of hosting Palestinian refugees from Gaza as part of a prior U.S. proposal; Somalia's foreign ministry says such plans were never discussed or approved by Mogadishu. The United States has since abandoned that resettlement plan and continues to recognize the territorial integrity of Somalia, including Somaliland.

The protests in Mogadishu underscore the sensitivity of territorial recognition in the Horn of Africa and the potential diplomatic ripple effects when external states alter long-standing positions on contested territories.