Somalia has strongly condemned what it described as a unilateral move by Somaliland to inaugurate a so-called embassy in Jerusalem, saying the action undermines the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and legal status.
In a statement, the Federal Republic of Somalia said it remains firmly committed to the unity of the country and rejects any measures that contradict international legitimacy or the resolutions of regional and international organisations.
The government said the move has no legal basis and carries no legal effect.
The statement further described the opening of the embassy as an unacceptable provocation to the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Somalia said any attempt to act outside the framework of the Somali state amounts to a direct challenge to the country’s political and legal standing.
The controversy centres on the self-declared northern region of Somaliland, which has in recent years sought greater international recognition and pursued independent diplomatic gestures that Mogadishu considers illegal.
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The latest announcement has once again heightened tensions between the federal government and authorities in the north, reigniting debate over Somalia’s territorial unity and foreign policy direction.
Somalia has consistently maintained that all diplomatic representation must be conducted under the authority of the federal government in Mogadishu.
Undermining sovereignty
Officials have repeatedly warned that any foreign engagement with breakaway or semi-autonomous regional administrations risks undermining Somalia’s sovereignty and could complicate efforts to preserve national unity.
The Jerusalem issue carries added sensitivity across the Arab and Muslim world because of the city’s disputed political status.
Somalia’s latest reaction reflects not only its internal constitutional concerns but also its broader alignment with international positions that reject unilateral changes to the city’s status.
The federal government said it will continue to defend Somalia’s sovereignty and oppose any actions it views as threatening the country’s territorial integrity or diplomatic legitimacy.
The development is likely to deepen the political divide between Mogadishu and the northern region of Somaliland, while also drawing regional and international attention to the long-running dispute over recognition, authority, and representation.