Statement by

His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the United Nations

before the United Nations Security Council Meeting

on Threats to International Peace and Security

29 December 2025

 

Mr. President,

At the outset, Djibouti wishes to reiterate its gratitude to Slovenia for convening this urgent meeting on a matter of profound consequence for international peace and security and the stability of our region, the Horn of Africa. 

Djibouti fully aligns itself with the statement by the A3+1. It also endorses the many important statements by the AU, IGAD, the Arab League and the OIC as well as the 21 countries in the region and beyond which have condemned the actions by Israel which took the unilateral decision to recognize the breakaway region, the ‘so-called republic of Somaliland”. This decision is in direct violation of established international norms and legal principles. 

These norms are embedded in the founding texts of the African Union and its Constitutive Act which has the stated objective of’ defending the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States’. Respect for another State’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is an essential principle of the UN Charter.

Accordingly, the UN Security Council has insisted on respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity and unity. Today, Israel’s reckless decision undermines these principles, defiantly violates the UN Charter, arrogantly challenges the authority of the Security Council as is wont to do, and threatens the foundations of the international legal order.

It amounts to intervention in Somalia’s affairs, insofar as these actions foster the independence of ‘Somaliland’ and the breakup of Somalia. It constitutes an unlawful transgression of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the political independence of the Federal republic of Somalia, of which Somaliland is a constituent part. It sets an extremely dangerous precedent and encourages further fragmentation.

Mr. President,

Such unilateral actions risk inflaming tensions within Somalia and across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, emboldening armed groups, bolstering terrorist groups and unraveling the hard-won gains of the United Nations, the African Union and the Somali Government in our collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability in the country.  In this regard, this Council should take very serious note of the analysis made by the Somali Government on the potential security ramifications of the destructive move by Israel in its press release dated December 26, 2025 as well as the various declarations made by concerned countries and organisations in the region and beyond.

We also take note of the Federal Government’s decision to reject the forced relocation of Palestinians in Somalia as this is a crime under international law. By virtue of its sovereignty, Somalia enjoys the full range of sovereign powers over its territory and the activities taking place therein.

Mr. Président,

Ce faux contrat est le produit de l'extreme détresse (d’ailleurs incomprehensible) de certains représentants d’une region du Nord de la Somalie, peu soucieux de la majorité des clans qui la constituent qui se fient et se confient a une puissance occupante très peu occupée, elle, par ses obligations en matière de droit international confiante qu’elle jouit d’une impunité sans limite, jusqu'à se rendre coupable de génocide systématique commis à l’égard des palestiniens. Une puissance qui se place fièrement en dehors du système international et  n' éprouve nullement le besoin de justifier, d’expliquer sa position délibérée . Une puissance qui n’a aucun intérêt à se poser en « Great Explainer » et dont les actions trahissent une volonté de mettre un point  d'honneur à se poser en « Great Destroyer », y compris de la Charte des Nations Unies  qu' elle a déchirée en lambeaux dans le Hall de l’Assemblée Générale.

Mr. President,

Djibouti reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. 

We therefore call on this Council to reaffirm clearly that:

• No State should attempt to disrupt the national unity and territorial integrity of another State by extending a unilateral recognition to a breakaway region of a sovereign state.
• Unilateral recognitions of secessionist entities undermine international law and pose a threat to peace and security.
• Peace and security must be preserved through respect for existing borders.

Mr. President,

In Closing, let me reiterate:  sovereignty and territorial integrity are not negotiable. We repeat and underscore what we said two weeks in Djibouti’s statement delivered during the Council’s open debate on leadership for peace convened by Slovenia. The legitimacy and continued relevance of the 21st century UN will be decided in Africa. Africans are rightly gravely concerned by the repercussions and implications of this negative development for the security and stability of the continent. Hundreds of millions of people in the Horn of Africa are watching us today and are expecting this Council to take vigorous actions. The Security Council must respond with clarity, courage, resolve and fidelity to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

Thank you for your attention.