FO says Israeli illegal and provocative actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law
Pakistan has strongly 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.
According to the Foreign Office, such illegal and provocative actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law. The statement said these actions not only threaten the peace and stability of the brotherly country of Somalia, but also endanger the security of the entire region.
The international community must step in to reject any such actions and prevent and deter Israel from undermining the ongoing efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the broader region, it added.
Pakistan reiterated its complete support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as for all efforts directed towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.
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.
A day ago, Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state – a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia’s longstanding opposition to secession, Reuters reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 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.
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.
