Ishaq Dar speaking at an OIC High-Level Event on Peace and Tolerance on the margins of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly
ISLAMABAD:
An extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is taking place in Jeddah today to discuss Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Somaliland region, a move that drew strong condemnation from the Muslim world.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will attend the meeting and present Pakistan’s perspective.
According to the Foreign Office, the emergency meeting has been convened in view of “rapidly escalating developments in Somalia,” following Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent entity.
The OIC has described the move as a clear violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. During the session, Dar is expected to reiterate Islamabad’s firm support for Somalia’s unity and internationally recognised borders.
The foreign minister will also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines with his counterparts from OIC member states to discuss broader regional and international developments, as well as avenues for enhanced cooperation.
The OIC General Secretariat said the extraordinary meeting aims to coordinate a unified Islamic position and reaffirm full support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with international law, the UN Charter and relevant OIC resolutions.
Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, declared independence unilaterally in 1991 following the collapse of the central Somali government.
While the region has maintained its own administration, security apparatus and periodic elections, it has not been recognised as a sovereign state by the United Nations or any major international organisation.
The federal government in Mogadishu has consistently maintained that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has therefore stirred significant controversy, not only in Somalia but also across Africa and the Muslim world.
Somali authorities have strongly condemned the move, calling it an infringement on their sovereignty and a destabilising step for the Horn of Africa, a region already grappling with conflict, piracy, humanitarian crises and great power competition.
Within the OIC, the issue is seen as setting a troubling precedent that could encourage separatist movements and undermine the principle of territorial integrity enshrined in international law.
Several member states have voiced concern that unilateral recognition of breakaway regions could further fragment fragile states.
Pakistan has traditionally taken a clear position on such matters, consistently opposing unilateral secession and external recognition of disputed territories.
Diplomats say Islamabad is likely to align closely with the OIC consensus, stressing respect for sovereignty, non-interference and adherence to international legal frameworks.
Analysts note that Pakistan’s stance on Somaliland is also shaped by its broader foreign policy principles, including strong support for Muslim countries facing territorial challenges and opposition to actions perceived as violating international norms.
Islamabad has long supported Somalia at multilateral forums and has backed international efforts aimed at stabilisation and state-building in the country.
The outcome of the Jeddah meeting is expected to include a strong collective statement condemning Israel’s move, reaffirming Somalia’s territorial integrity and possibly outlining diplomatic steps to raise the issue at international forums, including the UN.
As tensions continue to simmer, the extraordinary OIC session underscores the growing diplomatic fallout of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and highlights the organisation’s attempt to present a united front on an issue with far-reaching regional and geopolitical implications.
