Mogadishu (SD) – Members of both houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia today held an extraordinary session at the Villa Hargeysa complex, where they overwhelmingly approved a strong resolution rejecting and condemning Israeli aggression against the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

This session followed an address to Parliament by the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, which was thoroughly debated for its potential political, diplomatic, and security implications stemming from Israel’s actions.

The parliamentarians from both chambers unanimously displayed a clear, unified national stance, emphasizing that the Somali Parliament will never accept any step that undermines the nation’s sovereignty and territorial unity.

Concluding the session, the Speaker of Parliament stated that the resolution reflects the will of the Somali people and strengthens Somalia’s national position on any issue threatening the nation’s unity and independence.

The resolution is expected to form the basis for further political and diplomatic steps to be taken by the Federal Government of Somalia in the coming days.

The extraordinary parliamentary session is a powerful act of political theatre and institutional solidarity. In the face of an external threat (Israel’s recognition of Somaliland), the government is mobilizing all state organs to present a unified front. This serves to reassure the domestic populace, demonstrate resolve to the international community, and counteract Somaliland’s narrative of inevitable recognition. It is a classic “rally around the flag” moment.

The session, prompted by the President’s address, effectively parliamentarizes and legitimizes President Hassan Sheikh’s confrontational stance. It transforms the executive branch’s foreign policy response into a formal, collective mandate from the nation’s highest legislative body. This strengthens the President’s hand both domestically and in international forums, as he can now claim his actions carry the full backing of the Somali state.

The resolution is not an endpoint but a launching pad. By declaring it a “basis for further steps,” Parliament is authorizing and encouraging the government to pursue more aggressive measures. This could include:

Formally severing any clandestine ties with Israel.

Lobbying for condemnatory resolutions at the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and African Union.

Exploring legal challenges at international bodies, framing the issue as a violation of the UN Charter’s principle of territorial integrity.

This domestic move complements the earlier joint condemnation by Egypt, Türkiye, and Djibouti. It shows that the external regional support is matched by internal political consensus, making Somalia’s position more credible and difficult for the international community to ignore. It signals to allies that the Somali state is stable and unified in this crisis.

While unity is displayed, the resolution also raises the stakes. It commits the government to a path of maximalist opposition to Israel’s move, leaving little room for backchannel negotiations or face-saving compromises. It also potentially sidelines or pressures political opponents within Somalia who might have advocated for a more measured response. The government must now deliver tangible diplomatic results to satisfy the expectations this resolution creates.

The parliamentary vote sends an unequivocal message to Hargeisa and other nations considering recognition: Somalia will treat this as an existential threat and mobilize every resource to oppose it. It aims to deter further recognition by demonstrating the high diplomatic and political costs involved.

The Somali Parliament’s resolution is a critical next step in the state’s response, transforming anger into official state policy. It institutionalizes the crisis, elevates it to the highest level of national concern, and provides a legal and political mandate for an escalated diplomatic offensive. Somalia is moving from reactive condemnation to proactive, multi-track countermeasures, seeking to internationalize the dispute and diplomatically isolate both Israel and Somaliland. The effectiveness of this parliamentary mandate will now be tested in the corridors of the UN, AU, and Arab League.