In a firm diplomatic rebuke, the Nigerian government has rejected Israel's decision to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, calling the move an act of "selfish interest" that threatens stability in the Horn of Africa.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday, following Israel's unexpected announcement made on Boxing Day. Nigeria condemned the unilateral act, emphasizing its "unwavering commitment" to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity of Somalia within its internationally recognized borders.
A Challenge to Continental Consensus and African Unity
Nigerian officials framed Israel's recognition as a direct challenge to long-standing African and international positions. For over three decades, since Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, the African Union (AU) and the vast majority of United Nations member states, including Nigeria, have withheld formal recognition. This stance is rooted in the cardinal principle of the AU Constitutive Act: the inviolability of colonial-era borders. Nigeria’s statement urged "regional and international actors to respect Somalia’s sovereignty and support efforts to rebuild a stable, prosperous, and resilient nation."
The Nigerian government asserted that the recognition serves "the selfish interests" of Israel, potentially destabilizing a fragile region. Analysts suggest this new geopolitical alignment could be linked to Israel's strategic rivalry with Iran and its allies, seeking a friendly partner with a strategic coastline along the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a global maritime chokepoint.
Reactions and the Path Forward
The declaration has ignited a firestorm of reactions. The Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu immediately condemned Israel's action as an "aggression," recalling its ambassador to Israel for consultations and vowing a robust diplomatic response. Conversely, the Somaliland government in Hargeisa celebrated the move as a historic breakthrough and a step toward wider international legitimacy.
For Nigeria, a traditional leader in African diplomacy, this event presents a significant test. The statement reaffirms Nigeria's role as a guardian of the AU's foundational principles. It now faces the complex task of rallying other African nations to maintain a united front against what it perceives as external interference, while navigating the intricate geopolitics of the Horn of Africa, where Somaliland has functioned as a de facto state for over 30 years with its own government, currency, and security forces.
The international community now watches to see if Israel’s bold move will trigger a domino effect of further recognitions or solidify the existing consensus supporting Somalia's unity, with Nigeria positioned as a key voice advocating for the latter.
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