MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Somalia in a wave of coordinated protests against Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared republic in the north of the country.
Large crowds gathered in the capital, Mogadishu, as well as in Lasanod, Guriel, Galkayo, Afgoye and several other towns, denouncing the move as a violation of Somalia’s unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
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Videos circulating on social media showed protesters marching through major cities, many waving the blue Somali flag and chanting slogans rejecting any foreign recognition of Somaliland, which Somalia considers an integral part of its territory.
Speakers at the rallies included politicians, clan elders and Islamic scholars, who urged the public to resist what they described as Israeli interference and “aggression” against the Somali state. They warned that silence or inaction now could, in their words, allow Israel to become permanently entrenched in the region.
Some speakers accused Israel of acting without regard for the interests of people in Somaliland, arguing that its policies elsewhere in the Muslim world undermined any claim of goodwill. References were repeatedly made to the war in Gaza, with protesters expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning Israel’s military campaign there.
The demonstrations echoed recent remarks by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who warned that failure to oppose what he described as an Israeli presence in northern Somalia could have long-term consequences. He cautioned that once established, such influence might be difficult to reverse.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognised by Mogadishu or by the vast majority of the international community. The Somali federal government has consistently rejected any unilateral recognition of the region, insisting that Somalia’s borders are inviolable.
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