News Desk: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will convene an emergency session on Monday after Israel formally recognised Somaliland, triggering sharp diplomatic backlash across Africa, West Asia and beyond.
The meeting comes just days before Somalia is set to assume the Council’s presidency, adding urgency and political sensitivity to the debate.
The UN Security Council will convene on Monday for an urgent session following Israel’s recognition of the Republic of Somaliland.
We will not shy away from political discussions.
Israel will continue to act responsibly and with discretion, in order to strengthen cooperation…
— Danny Danon 🇮🇱 דני דנון (@dannydanon) December 27, 2025
Israel announced the decision on Friday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the move was made “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords”. He said Israel and Somaliland would cooperate in economic, agricultural and social development sectors. With this step, Israel becomes the only UN member state to officially recognise Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991.
The United Nations Security Council will convene for an emergency session following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
The session will be held at the request of Somalia. https://t.co/LNNPF2NudE
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) December 27, 2025
Regional and global backlash
Mogadishu denounced the move as a “deliberate attack” on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Strong criticism also came from Egypt, Turkey, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon defended the decision, saying Israel would “act responsibly” and continue working with partners supporting regional stability.
The European Union reiterated its support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty, calling respect for territorial integrity essential for peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, while urging dialogue between Somalia’s federal government and Somaliland.
Wider diplomatic implications
A joint statement by 21 mainly West Asian and African countries, along with the OIC, rejected Israel’s move, warning it could destabilise the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region and set a dangerous precedent under international law. The statement also dismissed any linkage between Somaliland’s recognition and proposals to relocate Palestinians.
Syria issued a separate condemnation, while the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco — countries that normalised ties with Israel in 2020 — did not sign the joint declaration.
Strategically located on the Gulf of Aden opposite Yemen and near Djibouti, Somaliland operates with its own currency, passports and security forces but has remained diplomatically isolated for over three decades. The United States Department of State said it continues to recognise Somalia’s territorial integrity, explicitly including Somaliland.
The emergency UNSC session is expected to expose deepening fault lines over sovereignty, recognition and regional stability in one of Africa’s most geopolitically sensitive corridors.
