Over 20 muslim countries condemn Israel’s Somaliland recognition

Foreign ministers of more than 20 Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement Sunday, rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, which Israel announced on December 26.

The statement, released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the recognition violates international law and the United Nations Charter, which protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Saturday — a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia’s longstanding opposition to secession. Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland’s president signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, the Israeli statement said.

The signatories included Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, among others. The ministers categorically rejected Israel’s recognition of the “Somaliland” region of the Federal Republic of Somalia, citing the grave implications of such an unprecedented step for peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, as well as its wider impact on international peace and security.

“The recognition of parts of states constitutes a serious precedent and threatens international peace and security,” the statement said.

The ministers condemned the recognition “in the strongest terms,” saying it constitutes a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter, which require protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Read: Pakistan rejects Israeli recognition of Somaliland, backs Somalia’s sovereignty

They expressed their full support for Somalia’s sovereignty and rejected “any measures that undermine the unity of Somalia, its territorial integrity or its sovereignty over its entire territory.”

The statement warned that recognizing parts of states “constitutes a serious precedent and threatens international peace and security.”

The signatories also rejected any potential link between the recognition and attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land.

Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan independently condemned any attempts to undermine the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia, and rejected Israel’s announcement recognising the independence of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Pakistan also reiterated its unequivocal rejection of any steps aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land under any circumstances, and reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and for the establishment of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. In a statement, he congratulated Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.

Netanyahu said the declaration “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump.”

The 2020 accords were brokered by Trump’s first administration and included Israel formalising diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries joining later.

Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland’s president signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, the Israeli statement said.

Abdullahi said in a statement that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, calling it a step toward regional and global peace. He said Somaliland was committed to building partnerships, boosting mutual prosperity and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa.

But Somalia’s government condemned Israel’s move as an “unlawful step” and a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty, rejecting any recognition of Somaliland, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

“The federal government affirms its determination to pursue all necessary diplomatic, political, and legal measures, in accordance with international law, to defend its sovereignty, unity, and internationally recognized borders,” the statement said.

Read more: Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland as independent state

Egypt said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls on Friday with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss what they described as dangerous developments in the Horn of Africa following Israel’s announcement.

The ministers condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, and warned that recognising breakaway regions posed a threat to international peace and security, Egypt’s foreign ministry said.

The African Union also rejected any recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming its “unwavering commitment” to Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and warning that such moves risked undermining peace and stability across the continent, the AU Commission chair said.

Over the years, Somalia has rallied international actors against any country recognising Somaliland. Meanwhile, the former British protectorate hopes that recognition by Israel will encourage other nations to follow suit, increasing its diplomatic heft and access to international markets.

In March, Somalia and Somaliland denied receiving any proposal from the United States or Israel to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, with Mogadishu saying it categorically rejected any such move.