Arab League condemns Somaliland leader’s Jerusalem visit
16 June 2026
The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has strongly condemned the visit by the leader of Somalia's northern administration to Jerusalem and the opening of a building described as an "embassy."
In a statement from the Arab League's media office, Aboul Gheit said the move has no legal validity and constitutes an attempt to undermine the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He said it also contravenes United Nations resolutions and international law. He noted the visit came at a time when Israel continues its actions against the rights of the Palestinian people.
Aboul Gheit called on officials of that administration to reconsider their policies and not to mix the interests of local people with external plans and agendas that do not serve the interests of Somalis. He warned against the region being drawn into Israel's interests, which he said exploits existing divisions to fuel and deepen instability in the region and to expand its military and political presence.
The Secretary-General also urged officials to take part in genuine dialogue among all segments of Somali society, based on the social, historical, clan and religious ties that unite the Somali people, in order to achieve their aspirations for peace, security and stability.
For his part, the official spokesman for the Secretary-General, Jamaal Rushdi, confirmed that the Arab League stands fully with the Federal Republic of Somalia and supports its independence, sovereignty and territorial unity.
He noted that the Arab League Council had earlier, at an extraordinary meeting held on 28 December 2025, described any ties between the northern administration and Israel as a threat to Arab national security, peace and stability in the Red Sea region, the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa.
He added that the Secretary-General will continue efforts to unify Arab, African and international positions to prevent such moves and to protect the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the stability of the region.
