Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud affirmed that his government is undertaking intensive diplomatic efforts to thwart and prevent any potential Israeli recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland, emphasizing that Somali sovereignty is a red line that cannot be crossed. This move comes at a time of intense political and strategic tensions in the Horn of Africa, as Mogadishu seeks to assert its territorial integrity before the international community.
Background of the conflict and roots of the crisis
To understand the nature of this diplomatic move, one must return to the historical roots of the crisis. Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence from the Republic of Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of the central government and the fall of Siad Barre's regime. Despite the region's success in building stable governmental institutions, holding regular elections, issuing its own currency and passports, it has not received formal international recognition from any UN member state for the past three decades. The federal government in Mogadishu considers the region an integral part of Somali territory under the constitution and international law.
Geopolitical dimensions and Israeli interest
This issue is of paramount importance given Somaliland's strategic location on the Gulf of Aden, which controls the southern entrance to the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Political reports and analyses indicate that Israel is showing increasing interest in the Horn of Africa to ensure maritime security and counter Iranian influence in the region. Observers believe that the breakaway region's pursuit of relations with Israel is part of its search for lost international legitimacy, a move that Mogadishu is fiercely resisting through diplomatic channels and regional organizations such as the Arab League and the African Union.
The repercussions of the Somali movement and its regional impact
The Somali president's statement comes at a highly sensitive time, coinciding with other regional tensions, most notably the dispute with Ethiopia over the memorandum of understanding that grants Addis Ababa access to the sea via Somaliland. The current Somali strategy aims to diplomatically isolate the region and prevent any international or regional powers from legitimizing its secession. This move has a direct impact on the stability of the region, as any unilateral recognition could fuel conflicts and exacerbate polarization in an already fragile region. The Somali government maintains that preserving national unity is the only guarantee for the stability of the Horn of Africa and the protection of shared Arab and African interests.
