By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: A coalition of 21 predominantly Muslim nations, including Pakistan, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, describing the move as a blatant violation of international law that could destabilize the Horn of Africa and beyond.
The joint statement, released by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Sunday, underscored the signatories’ “unequivocal rejection” of the decision, which they said reflected Israel’s “full and blatant disregard for international law” and constituted a “grave violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.”
The countries — Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye and Yemen — warned that the recognition threatened Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. They also rejected any potential connection between the move and efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land.
“The recognition of parts of states constitutes a serious precedent and threatens international peace and security, and violates the cardinal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter,” the statement said, emphasising support for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia over its entire territory.
Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland on Friday, a step that could alter regional alliances and challenge Somalia’s opposition to secession. Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 amid Somalia’s civil war, has maintained relative stability but has not gained international recognition until now. Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, said his government would join the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreements that normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the recognition as a continuation of the “spirit of the Abraham Accords.” The decision drew swift backlash. Somalia called it a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty. The African Union warned that it risked “setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.” The European Union and several other nations urged respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, in a post on the social media platform X on Saturday, said Israel had previously identified Somaliland “as a destination for the forced displacement of our Palestinian people, particularly from the Gaza Strip,” and warned against any “complicity” with such plans.
Pakistan, in a separate statement on Saturday, condemned the recognition as an attempt to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty. “Pakistan strongly condemns any attempts to undermine the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia, and rejects, in this regard, the announcement made by Israel recognising the independence of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the Foreign Office said. Islamabad urged the international community to intervene and “prevent and deter Israel from undermining the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the broader region.”
In a phone call with Somalia’s foreign minister, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, reaffirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty and condemned actions against it. “The Somali Foreign Minister thanked the DPM/FM (Dar) for standing by Somalia and for Pakistan’s continued and sustained support,” the Foreign Office said in a post on X. “He also sought Pakistan’s assistance in raising Somalia’s concerns at the UNSC.” Dar affirmed Pakistan’s backing for Somalia at the United Nations and other forums. In a separate call with Egypt’s foreign minister, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, he discussed developments in Somalia and Yemen.
The United States distanced itself from Israel’s move. Asked by The New York Post if Washington planned to recognise Somaliland, President Trump replied, “No.” He added, “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?” The coalition’s statement highlighted concerns over the broader implications, including risks to security in the Red Sea and international peace. It accused the recognition of advancing Israel’s “expansionist” policy, amid reports earlier this year that Israel and the United States had approached East African states, including Somaliland, about accepting Palestinians from Gaza.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
