Somalia has strongly condemned a visit by officials from Somaliland to the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it violated the country's constitution and international law, according to an official statement.

Thursday’s statement, released by the Prime Minister's Office following the Cabinet's weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, said the visit was a clear violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia, international law and principles related to state sovereignty and the protection of oppressed peoples.

The Somali government has opposed diplomatic contacts and cooperation initiatives between Israel and Somaliland since Israel recognised the territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on December 26, 2025, that Israel recognised Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state."

Israel remains the first and only country to recognise Somaliland.

Somaliland declared unilateral independence from Somalia in 1991, but no UN member state had recognised it as an independent country before Israel's decision.

The Somali government regards Somaliland as an integral part of the country and maintains that international agreements and diplomatic initiatives involving the region fall solely under the authority of the federal government in Mogadishu.

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