Algeria has accused Israel of seeking to divide Somalia, using an address to the United Nations General Assembly to reiterate its opposition to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf made the remarks on Monday during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where he criticised Israeli actions in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon and referred to what he described as Israel’s “efforts to divide Somalia”.
The reference to Somalia was brief, but comes amid continued diplomatic tensions over Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state.
Recognition dispute
Israel formally recognised Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on 26 December 2025, becoming the first country to do so. The move was welcomed by Somaliland but strongly rejected by Somalia, which regards the territory as part of its sovereign territory.
Somaliland has operated with de facto independence since declaring its separation from Somalia in 1991, maintaining its own government, security forces and institutions while seeking international recognition.
Somalia has condemned Israel’s recognition and said it would pursue diplomatic, political and legal measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The African Union has also rejected the recognition and reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Israel has defended the decision, saying recognition was intended to create opportunities for cooperation and was not an act directed against Somalia.
The issue has also drawn opposition from other governments. China, for example, said in December that it opposed attempts to divide Somalia and reaffirmed its support for the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
Algeria’s position
Algeria has consistently backed Somalia’s territorial integrity since Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
In his latest UN address, Mr Attaf included Somalia among a series of regional issues while criticising Israel’s actions in the Middle East. He also called for greater international efforts to address regional conflicts and for reform of the UN system.
Algiers has previously warned that the Somaliland recognition could contribute to instability in the Horn of Africa and undermine the principle of respecting the territorial integrity of states.
The African Union has similarly maintained that Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity should be respected. In January 2026, its Peace and Security Council called for Israel to revoke its recognition of Somaliland.
Growing Somalia-Algeria ties
The latest comments come as Somalia and Algeria have expanded diplomatic and institutional contacts.
The two countries have discussed cooperation on political, security and institutional matters, with both governments publicly reaffirming their support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Somali officials have also sought closer security cooperation with Algeria. The two sides have discussed strengthening defence ties as part of broader bilateral relations.
The dispute over Somaliland remains a significant issue in Somalia’s foreign policy, particularly following Israel’s recognition. Somaliland, meanwhile, continues to seek wider international recognition and has described the Israeli decision as a major diplomatic breakthrough.
Israel has since expanded its engagement with Somaliland. In June 2026, Somaliland’s defence minister said Israel was providing training to Somaliland’s police and military forces, while denying that talks were under way to establish an Israeli military base there.
