Hundreds in Mogadishu protest Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, calling it an attack on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
MOGADISHU: Hundreds of people gathered in Somalia’s capital to protest Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland.
Demonstrators condemned the move and stressed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They shouted slogans such as “Somalia is indivisible” and “Somaliland is Somalia.”
Security forces were deployed in large numbers to maintain order during the protest.
One protester, Mohamed Abor, told Anadolu that Somalia has never relinquished its territory.
“Somalia is one and will remain one,” he said, adding that Somalis are ready to make any sacrifice for their country.
Another protester, Abdi Ismail, called Israel’s decision “a clear attack on Somalia’s sovereignty.”
He stated that Somaliland is an inseparable part of the country.
“No country has the right to recognise it unilaterally,” Abdi said.
He added that the international community should not remain silent in the face of the decision.
Israel became the first UN member state to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state on Friday.
The move has drawn condemnation from Turkey, a close ally of Somalia, and countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has lacked official international recognition since.
It operates as a de facto independent entity, with Somalia’s central government struggling to assert control over the region.
