Arab, Islamic Nations Reject Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland, Back Somalia’s Sovereignty

Arab, Islamic Nations Reject Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland, Back Somalia’s Sovereignty

A coalition of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers, alongside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has strongly rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, warning that the move threatens peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the ministers condemned Israel’s announcement of December 26, describing it as an unprecedented and flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, which uphold the principles of state sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, according to the Jordan News Agency (JNA).

Israel recently declared its recognition of Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state” and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations, a move hailed by Somaliland’s leadership as its first-ever official recognition.

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The ministers, however, reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, rejecting any actions that would undermine the country’s unity or territorial integrity. They warned that recognising the independence of regions within existing states sets a dangerous precedent and poses a direct threat to international peace and security.

The statement also voiced categorical opposition to any attempt to link the move to proposals aimed at displacing the Palestinian people outside their land, stressing that such ideas are rejected “in form and substance.”

Signatories to the joint statement include the foreign ministers of Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye and Yemen, as well as the OIC.

Separately, Saudi Arabia on Friday reiterated its full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, firmly rejecting the declaration of mutual recognition between Israel and Somaliland.

Arab, Islamic Nations Reject Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland, Back Somalia’s Sovereignty

ARAB NEWS