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The Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the African Union (AU) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have joined numerous countries and foreign ministers in denouncing Israel’s formal recognition of the Somali breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state.
Somaliland, a region in the Horn of Africa, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has campaigned for international recognition for decades, with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi making it a top priority since taking office last year.
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Israel announcement On Friday, he deemed Somaliland an “independent and sovereign state,” becoming the first country to make such a declaration.
The announcement prompted Somalia to characterize the decision as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty which would undermine regional peace.
In a statement released Friday, the AU continental bloc rejected Israel’s move and warned that it risked “setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.”
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the institution “strongly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity, recalling that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
“A dangerous precedent”
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called the Israeli action “a blatant violation of international law and a blatant violation of the principle of unity and sovereignty of states.”
“Any attempt to impose unilateral recognitions constitutes unacceptable interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international security and stability,” he warned.
The GCC called the development a “serious violation of the principles of international law and a blatant attack” on Somalia’s sovereignty.
“This recognition represents a dangerous precedent that will undermine the foundations of stability in the Horn of Africa region and open the door to further tensions and conflicts, contradicting regional and international efforts aimed at strengthening international peace and security in the region,” GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said in a statement.
The European Union said it respects Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, calling for dialogue between the Somali national government and Somaliland.
The OIC issued a joint statement with the foreign ministers of several countries, including Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey and Yemen.
The group issued its “unequivocal rejection of Israel’s recognition of the ‘Somaliland’ region… given the serious repercussions of such an unprecedented measure on peace and security in the Horn of Africa, in the Red Sea, and its serious effects on international peace and security as a whole.”
They criticized Israel’s “complete and blatant disregard for international law” and expressed full support for Somalia’s sovereignty.
The group also rejected “any potential link between such a measure [Somaliland recognition] and any attempt to forcibly expel the Palestinian people from their lands.”
Earlier this year, reports emerged of a link between the potential recognition of Somaliland and plans for ethnic cleansing. Palestinians in Gaza and forcibly move them to the African region.
Somalia demands return on recognition
Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China and Nigeria are among other countries that have condemned Israel’s decision in separate statements.
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have also rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Friday, Somalia required Israel reverses its recognition of Somaliland as independent, condemning the decision as an act of “aggression that will never be tolerated.”
However, Somaliland leader Abdullahi hailed Israel’s decision as a “historic moment” and said in an article on X that it marked the start of a “strategic partnership.”
As world leaders weighed in, Somalia’s al-Qaeda armed group, Al-Shabab, pledged Saturday to fight any attempt by Israel to “claim or use parts of Somaliland.”
“We will not accept it and we will fight against it,” the group which has led an armed rebellion for decades in the region said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the issue.
Asked by the New York Post newspaper whether Washington was also considering recognizing Somaliland, Trump replied “no.”
“Does anyone really know what Somaliland is? he added Friday.
