After the Israeli recognition… Trump refuses to recognize Somaliland’s independence

US President Donald Trump said in an interview published Friday that he would refuse to recognize Somaliland’s independence, following Israel’s formal recognition of the unilaterally declared republic that is separate from Somalia.

Trump answered “No” when asked in an interview with the New York Post published Friday whether he would follow in the footsteps of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and recognize it, asking, “Does anyone really know what Somaliland is?”

The Somali opposition also condemned Israel’s recognition of the separatist region of Somaliland, warning of serious repercussions for the security and stability of the Horn of Africa.

This came in a statement issued by the “Somali Rescue Forum” on Friday evening, in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.

The forum, which includes Somali opposition MPs and political figures, said it categorically and unequivocally rejects the Israeli entity’s move to recognize Somaliland.

“Such action is a grave violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, and a flagrant violation of the principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter and the fundamental norms of the African Union,” The forum promised.

The forum also warned that the Israeli move sets a dangerous precedent with serious and far-reaching repercussions for peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

“Somalia’s internationally recognized unity, sovereignty and borders are non-negotiable,” the forum stressed, adding that “any action or arrangement that undermines these principles poses a direct threat to national cohesion and regional stability, and will only deepen the division”.

“We categorically reject any action or attempt by any country that attempts to undermine the unity, sovereignty and borders of the internationally recognized Federal Republic of Somalia,” the forum said.

The forum called on the African Union, the Arab League and the United Nations to abide by their charters and pledges, and to reject and condemn any act that violates the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

The forum also warned that the danger of the Israeli move is not limited to Somalia alone, but represents an indication of a dangerous new front aimed at fragmenting Africa and reviving discredited doctrines based on external interference, selective recognition and artificial division.

“This move also undermines the African Union’s historic commitment to the principle of inviolability of inherited borders, and threatens to destabilize not only the Horn of Africa, but the continent as a whole, by legitimizing separatist projects through unilateral recognition,” the forum said.

In its statement, the forum also stressed that the Somali people “oppose any proposal aimed at addressing the Palestinian issue through displacement, rather than restoring Palestinians to their legitimate rights in their homeland”.

“These approaches are contrary to international law and the fundamental principles of justice,” the forum stressed.

In recent months, there have been reports of plans to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to African countries, including Somalia.

The Somali Rescue Forum called on the Somali people to “remain calm, united and vigilant in defending the republic, and to deal with this issue in a spirit of national responsibility, discipline and restraint, recognizing that unity is our strongest guarantee”.

At the same time, he appealed to the Somali federal government to meet this challenge through a coordinated, principled and proactive diplomatic strategy that puts national unity above personal or factional interests.

“This effort must be carried out in close consultation with all Somali stakeholders, and with regional and international partners, including the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations, by making full use of all legal and diplomatic means available under international law”.

The forum concluded its statement by stressing that at this critical moment, the defense of Somalia’s sovereignty and unity must transcend political differences and be embodied in one clear, firm and unified national position.

Following Israel’s announcement of recognition of the separatist region of Somaliland on Friday, several countries and organizations were quick to reject Israel’s unilateral move, including Egypt, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, Djibouti, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Somaliland, which has not been officially recognized since its declaration of secession from Somalia in 1991, operates as an administrative, political, and security independent entity, with the central government unable to extend its control over the region or its leadership to wrest independence.

The Somali Government refuses to recognize the Somaliland region as an independent State and considers it an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Somalia, and considers any deal or direct dealing with it an attack on the sovereignty and unity of the country.