Nigeria has joined more than 20 countries and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in strongly rejecting Israel’s reported recognition of Somaliland, describing the move as a violation of international law and a threat to regional and global security.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, foreign ministers from countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Pakistan, Somalia, and The Gambia said Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland — a self-declared region of the Federal Republic of Somalia — was unacceptable and dangerous.
The statement said the move, announced on December 26, would have “serious repercussions on peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and international peace and security as a whole.”
The ministers reaffirmed “full support of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia” and rejected any action that undermines Somalia’s unity or territorial integrity.
“The recognition of parts of states constitutes a serious precedent and threatens international peace and security,” the statement said, adding that such actions violate the United Nations Charter.
The joint statement condemned Israel’s action “in the strongest terms,” accusing it of showing “full and blatant disregard for international law” and describing the move as expansionist.
Nigeria has historically supported Somalia’s federal government through the African Union and the United Nations, repeatedly opposing unilateral actions that could destabilise fragile regions on the continent.
While Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, it has consistently aligned with the African Union and UN positions on territorial integrity, especially when it concerns African states.
As of Friday, Israel has not responded publicly to the joint statement.
