Sweden voices support for Somalia's sovereignty

(MENAFN) Sweden has reiterated its backing for Somalia’s sovereignty and national unity following Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, the self-declared region that broke away from Somalia decades ago.

In a public statement issued on Monday, Sweden’s Foreign Ministry aligned its position with that of major international and regional organizations, stating: “In line with the EU, the AU and relevant regional bodies, Sweden upholds the principles of Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Over the weekend, the European Union also restated its stance, saying it “reaffirms the importance of respecting the unity, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” consistent with Somalia’s constitution as well as African Union and United Nations charters. The bloc additionally urged “meaningful dialogue” between Somaliland’s authorities and Somalia’s federal government “to resolve long-standing differences.”

Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state on Friday, a move that prompted widespread rejection from countries across Africa and the Middle East, including Türkiye, which joined a joint statement released by Qatar condemning the decision.

Somaliland has operated as a self-governing entity since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, maintaining its own administrative, political, and security structures. Despite functioning independently in practice, it has failed to obtain international recognition, while Somalia’s central government has been unable to reassert authority over the region.

The Somali government continues to reject any recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, insisting it remains an integral part of Somalia. Mogadishu considers any direct engagement or agreements with Somaliland’s authorities to be violations of the country’s sovereignty and territorial unity.

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