The Secretariat General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has announced that an emergency meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah.
The meeting will focus on the difficult situation in the Federal Republic of Somalia, especially after a controversial move by Israel to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, which has greatly angered the Somali government and many countries around the world.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation said that the meeting aims to unify the position of Islamic countries and express clear and full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in accordance with international law and previous decisions of the organization.
The tension intensified after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Hargeisa, where he met with Somaliland leaders. The Somali government described the visit as illegal, calling it an “unauthorized intervention” on Somali territory.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the minister met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), and Israel pledged assistance in the areas of water, health and education, as well as defense cooperation.
The Federal Government of Somalia strongly condemned the visit, stating that any official contact or visit with Somaliland is illegal without the permission of the federal government.
Similarly, the Arab League has declared its clear opposition to any official or unofficial contact with Somaliland, outside of the unity and independence of Somalia, warning that this threatens the security and stability of the region, especially the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa.
Somali and international political eyes are now turning to the outcome of the emergency summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which is expected to demonstrate a united stance in support of Somalia and its unity.
