Egypt condemns ‘Somaliland’ move to open alleged embassy in Jerusalem

CAIRO – 21 May 2026: Egypt on Thursday strongly condemned the “illegal and unacceptable step by the so-called Somaliland to open an alleged embassy in occupied Jerusalem.”

The Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement that the move represents a blatant violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, and a direct infringement on the legal and historical status of Jerusalem.

Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, in December, a move that drew widespread international condemnation.

Somaliland’s envoy to Israel Mohamed Hagi, who recently presented his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, said on Tuesday that the region’s first-ever embassy would open in Jerusalem.

Seven countries have already opened embassies in Jerusalem after the United States, under President Donald Trump’s first term, recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017, sparking widespread global condemnation and complicating prospects for a two-state solution.

In its statement, Egypt reiterated its “full rejection of any unilateral measures aimed at imposing an illegal reality in occupied Jerusalem or granting legitimacy to entities or arrangements that violate international law and relevant UN resolutions.”

“East Jerusalem is Palestinian territory that has been occupied since 1967, and any steps aimed at altering its legal and historical status are null and void and carry no legal effect,” the ministry stressed.

Egypt also reiterated its full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, rejecting any unilateral measures that undermine Somali territorial unity or sovereignty.