Undermining sovereignty

Israeli bad behaviour reaches the Horn of Africa

Israel has long been violating the sovereignty of many states to support its horrendous agenda of Greater Israel. It has severely violated international law by breaching sovereignty of the states, targeting civilians, places of worship, hospitals, schools. In short, it has become a rogue state with no respect to international norms.

Recently, Israel has appointed it’s first ever ambassador to Somaliland, a move which enraged the international community. This step is the flagrant violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Somalia. Israel is strongly driven by its interest to increase its influence in which it violates the international rules and norms. Somaliland declared its independence in 1991 after a civil war.

However, it was a self-declared independence which threatens the stability of Somalia and the entire Horn of Africa. Somalia does not recognise it as an independent state and its position is backed by many international institutions such as the United Nations, the European.he support for independence. 

A case example of Ankara unilaterally recognising Northern Cyprus can be taken. Turkey is the only country which recognises Northern Cyprus. The international community, including the European Union and United Nations consider Cyprus one country and do not recognise Northern Cyprus as a separate state. They consider the unilateral recognition of Northern Cyprus by Turkey as a direct attack on the territorial integrity of Cyprus. 

The latest move by Israel undermines international law as Article 2(4) of the UN charter on territorial integrity prohibits use of force or any kind of threat against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. The international community must hold Israel accountable for its unilateral actions and must take measures to stop the secessionist moves by Israel.

The United Nations Security Council passed resolution 541 in 1983 saying that the creation of Northern Cyprus was not valid legally, and  called on the other countries not to recognize Northern Cyprus. This situation is considered dangerous which can lead to a worst outbreak of conflict on the island omaliland lies in a very close  proximity to Bab al M,andab Strait which is a key shipping route between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The activities in the Strait are disrupted by the Houthis in Yemen. Israel aims to maintain its influence in the region to monitor the activities in Yemen. Some argue that Israel wants to build military bases near the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have clearly stated that they will consider the Israeli presence in the region as their legitimate target. 

In march 2026, Minister of Somaliland while giving  an interview to Bloomberg said that Somaliland wants close ties with Israel especially in security and said that the Israel’s military bases in the region can be considered in the future

Many countries including Pakistan, China, the USA, Turkiye and Egypt strongly condemned the unilateral Israeli move by saying that it’s a direct threat to Somalia’s territorial integrity and also raised concerns about regional instability and encouragement of separatism. 

The latest appointment of Micheal Lotem as an ambassador to Somaliland, who previously served as an Israeli ambassador to Kenya, alarmed the international community and is considered as the flagrant violation of international rule based order. 

This is the latest development in the partnership which gained pace since December as soon as Israel recognised Somaliland ending 30 years of isolation. While addressing a parliamentary session Somaliland’s president Abdul Rahman Mohammed Abdullahi called Israel a reliable partner which was followed by huge appreciation from the lawmakers.

This is considered a gravest attack on Somalia’s sovereignty. The growing ties between Israel and Somaliland are significant. Can be judged from the instances like the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to the capital of Somaliland, Hargeisa, in January. Somaliland also sent a delegation from its water ministry to Israel for training in water management. There was also an expected trade deal between the two 

The foreign ministers from 15 countries including Asia, Middle East and Africa have issued a joint statement calling the appointment of a diplomatic representative in Somaliland the gravest violation of international law and a direct breach of Somalia’s sovereignty. They strongly condemned the move 

 However, the issue must be resolved through negotiations and constitutional processes within the territory of Somalia not by the external unilateral decisions which are driven by broad strategic and geopolitical goals. Israel recognising Somaliland on its own, without respecting the sovereignty of Somalia, is unacceptable under international law, the charter of the United Nations and the constitutive act of the African Union. 

The latest move by Israel undermines international law as Article 2(4) of the UN charter on territorial integrity prohibits use of force or any kind of threat against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. The international community must hold Israel accountable for its unilateral actions and must take measures to stop the secessionist moves by Israel.