Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged Uganda’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, despite Israel’s recent decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
According to a statement from the Somali Presidency, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held separate telephone conversations with President Museveni, Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The discussions focused on bilateral relations, regional security, and broader global issues of mutual interest.
During the calls, the regional leaders collectively stated their firm support for Somalia as a single, indivisible state, underscoring their commitment to the country’s internationally recognised borders. President Museveni’s position places Uganda among East African states backing Mogadishu amid rising diplomatic tensions following Israel’s announcement recognising Somaliland.
Israel on Friday announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and the President of Somaliland had signed a joint declaration formalising Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and committing to establish diplomatic relations. The move has drawn sharp reactions from the Federal Government of Somalia.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the Office of the Somali Prime Minister, Mogadishu categorically rejected Israel’s decision, describing it as unlawful and a direct attack on Somalia’s sovereignty. The government stressed that Somaliland remains “an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part” of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in line with the country’s constitution, the United Nations Charter, and the African Union’s Constitutive Act.
Somalia warned that no external actor has the authority to alter its territorial configuration, declaring that any recognition or arrangement undermining its unity is “null and void” under international law. The government also cautioned against any foreign military presence or security arrangements on its territory, warning that such actions could fuel regional instability and create opportunities for extremist groups.
The show of regional solidarity by Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Djibouti is seen as a significant diplomatic boost for Mogadishu, particularly within the framework of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), where the principle of respect for territorial integrity remains central.
Analysts say President Museveni’s stance reflects Kampala’s long-standing policy of supporting African Union consensus positions on sovereignty and borders, even as Uganda maintains diplomatic relations with Israel.
Somalia has pledged to pursue diplomatic, political, and legal avenues to challenge Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, while continuing to engage regional and international partners to safeguard its unity and stability.
As reactions continue to unfold, the issue is expected to feature prominently in upcoming regional and continental diplomatic engagements, with Somalia seeking broader international backing against what it views as a dangerous precedent in the Horn of Africa.
