The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has largely condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, with 14 of the 15 council members expressing concern over the move’s implications for Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa. Only the United States refrained from condemning Israel, though it clarified that its own policy on Somaliland remains unchanged.

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UNSC Emergency Meeting

Somalia convened an emergency session at the UN headquarters in New York after Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. Somalia’s UN ambassador, Abukar Dahir Osman, described the move as an “act of aggression” that could fragment Somalia and destabilize the Red Sea region.

Osman also raised alarm over reports that Israel’s recognition may form part of a plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to northwestern Somalia, calling for the council to halt what he described as a blatant disregard for international law.

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Reactions from UN Members

• United States: US deputy envoy Tammy Bruce defended Israel’s right to establish diplomatic relations but stated there was no change to US policy on Somaliland. Bruce also compared the move to the recognition of Palestine, claiming a “double standard” in the UNSC’s response.
• Israel: Deputy ambassador Jonathan Miller insisted that recognition was not hostile toward Somalia and could facilitate future dialogue.
• Arab League: The Arab League’s envoy warned against any actions using Somaliland’s ports for military purposes or forced displacement of Palestinians.
• China & UK: Both permanent members opposed Israel’s recognition, emphasizing that no country should aid separatist movements to further its geopolitical interests.
• Pakistan: Condemned Israel’s “unlawful recognition,” citing historical references by Israel to relocate Palestinians to Somaliland.
• South Africa: Reaffirmed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, citing international law and the African Union’s constitutive act.

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Comparison With Palestine

The US argued that recognizing Somaliland is comparable to recognizing Palestine, which has over 150 UN member state endorsements. However, Slovenia’s UN ambassador Samuel Zbogar rejected this, noting that Palestine is an occupied territory and an observer state, while Somaliland remains a region within the sovereign state of Somalia, making its recognition contrary to the UN Charter.

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Background on Somaliland

The self-declared Republic of Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 following civil war under military ruler Siad Barre. Despite operating with its own government and institutions, Somaliland has not been internationally recognized as an independent state—until Israel’s controversial decision.

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Implications

The UNSC’s condemnation reflects deep concern over:

• Regional stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor.
• Potential displacement of Palestinians in Gaza to Somali territory.
• Precedents for unilateral recognition of separatist regions.

The emergency meeting underscores the tension between unilateral diplomatic recognition and respect for the sovereignty of existing states, a core principle of the UN Charter.