Nigeria has reiterated its firm support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of Somalia, cautioning international actors against any actions capable of undermining the country’s constitutional order.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Federal Government said Nigeria remains unwavering in its commitment to the principles of sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of all member states of the United Nations and the African Union.
The statement declared Nigeria’s “firm and unequivocal support for the sovereignty, unity, and statehood of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” while recognising the government in Mogadishu as the sole legitimate authority representing the Somali people.
Nigeria also commended the Somali Federal Government for its sustained efforts at national reconciliation and peacebuilding, despite the country’s long-standing security and political challenges.
According to the ministry, Nigeria “stands in solidarity with Somalia and strongly condemns any actions or rhetoric that seek to undermine its constitutional order and territorial integrity.”
The statement further emphasised that Somalia’s stability is critical to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and across the wider African continent.
“The stability of Somalia is integral to the peace and security of the entire Horn of Africa region and the African continent at large,” the statement read, adding that Nigeria remains committed to supporting Somalia through multilateral platforms and international cooperation.
Nigeria also issued a clear warning to foreign governments and institutions against recognising any part of Somalia as an independent state, stressing that such moves would only worsen the crisis.
“Such actions would only escalate the crisis and should be avoided,” the ministry cautioned, urging regional and international actors to respect Somalia’s sovereignty and support its institutions in rebuilding a stable and resilient nation.
The statement comes in response to Israel’s recent decision to formally recognise Somaliland, an autonomous region in north-western Somalia that declared independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Somali state.
Israel’s move marked the first formal recognition of Somaliland by any country. While Somaliland has maintained relative peace and stability compared to other parts of Somalia and has governed much of the territory it claims for decades, it has not previously received international recognition despite sustained lobbying efforts.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdullahi, who took office last year, has made international recognition a top priority of his administration.
Israel’s decision has, however, drawn strong condemnation from the African Union, Somalia’s Federal Government, and several countries in the region.
Somalia’s government described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an “unlawful step,” insisting that the region remains “an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part” of Somalia.
The African Union also criticised Israel’s action, reaffirming its long-standing position that Somali land remains part of Somalia and warning against any attempt to undermine the country’s unity.
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“Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia runs counter to the fundamental principles of the African Union and risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent,” the AU said.
Egypt also weighed in on the issue, with its Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, holding discussions with his counterparts in Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti. The countries jointly rejected any unilateral measures that could undermine Somalia’s sovereignty or destabilise the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, defended the agreement, describing it as part of Israel’s broader diplomatic outreach. He said the recognition of Somaliland was “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords” and announced plans to expand bilateral cooperation in agriculture, health, technology, and the economy.
Netanyahu also extended an invitation to Somaliland President Abdullahi to visit Israel.
Reacting to Israel’s decision, Abdullahi hailed the development as a historic breakthrough, describing it as the beginning of a “strategic partnership” between Somaliland and Israel.
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