By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Somalia , April 17, 2026 Somalia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union warned that countries interfering in Somalia’s internal affairs could lose access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Ambassador Abdullahi Warfa said in a post on X: “Any country that interferes in Somalia’s internal affairs and undermines its territorial integrity and sovereignty will face consequences, including possible restrictions on access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.”
He stressed that Somalia will safeguard its national interests and borders, and will not accept any actions that threaten its statehood, adding that any potential measures would fall in the framework of defending sovereignty.
While Somalia does not directly control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it could potentially influence maritime routes linked to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, which may affect vessels transiting to and from the Red Sea through this corridor.
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It remains unclear whether the federal government shares the ambassador’s position.
The ambassador’s remarks came after Israel announced the appointment of a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland, a breakaway region that Somalia considers part of its territory—an action Somalia viewed as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and ranking among the busiest global trade routes. Implementing any restrictions would also require significant resources.
Diplomatic sources say the statements reflect a growing hardline stance by Somalia in defending its sovereignty, amid Israeli moves and potential actions by other countries regarding recognition of, or engagement with, the region outside Somalia’s authority.