Ruto Holds Talks With Somali President Amid Somaliland Dispute
Several prominent regional officials, including President William Ruto, met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud amid rising tensions following Israel’s declaration of Somaliland as an autonomous state.
On Saturday, December 27, President Mohamud’s office issued a statement confirming that the Somali Head of State had held talks with leaders.
This includes Ruto, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu, and Djibouti’s Ismael Oguelleh.
The discussions during the conversations focused on bilateral, regional, and global matters of mutual concern, particularly economic cooperation.
“During the call, the Presidents reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” a statement from President Mohamud’s office read.
President @HassanSMohamud held phone calls with President @IsmailOguelleh of Djibouti, President @WilliamsRuto of Kenya, President @KagutaMuseveni of Uganda, and President @SuluhuSamia of Tanzania.
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) December 27, 2025
The calls addressed bilateral regional and global issues of mutual interest.… pic.twitter.com/VmIERY28m0
The action comes amid regional tensions following Israel’s official recognition of Somaliland’s independence and sovereignty.
Israel vowed to help Somaliland with agriculture and economic growth, prompting protests from Mogadishu and around the world.
On Friday, Israel, which has been at war for numerous years, generated international tremors by openly recognising the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
“I am signing the official recognition of Somaliland as an independent state and its right to self-determination,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a phone call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi.
I announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) December 26, 2025
Together with Foreign Minister Sa'ar and the President of the Republic of Somaliland, we signed a joint and mutual declaration.
This declaration is in the spirit of… pic.twitter.com/WlZuN1HB5z
“This presents a significant opportunity to expand our partnership. We intend to work with you in the economic, agricultural, and social development sectors.”
Since the proclamation, various organizations, including the African Union, have raised worry over Netanyahu’s openness to explore cooperation with Somaliland.
Somalia first decried Israel’s move as an attack on its sovereignty.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have joined numerous African and Middle Eastern countries in voicing their support for Somalia, which has opposed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, Jordan, and Iraq, among others, also rejected the move, describing it as a blatant violation of international law.
Somaliland has for years maintained a representative office in Nairobi, engagements that Somalia has viewed as undermining its sovereignty.
The illegal aggression of PM Netanyahu in recognising a part of Somalia’s Northern region is against international law. Meddling with Somalia’s internal affairs is contrary to established legal & diplomatic rules. Somalia & its people are one: inseparable by division from a far.
— Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (@HassanSMohamud) December 27, 2025
Nairobi and Jerusalem have also enjoyed strong diplomatic relations and a long-standing alliance.
Kenya’s expression of support for Somalia in opposition to Israel’s position on Somaliland could therefore create a rare point of diplomatic friction.
Ruto Holds Talks With Somali President Amid Somaliland Dispute
