Dozens of Countries Condemn Israel's Recognition of 'Somaliland' and Reject Linking It to the Displacement of Palestinians

SadaNews - The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and 21 Arab and Islamic countries emphasized their firm rejection of Israel's announcement to recognize what is called "Somaliland," considering the move "a dangerous precedent and a threat to international peace and security."

This was stated in a joint statement by the "Islamic Cooperation" and the foreign ministers of Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, published by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the "X" platform.

The statement comes on the eve of an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council at the ambassadorial level on Sunday, to reinforce the Arab rejection of Israel's announcement recognizing what is called "Somaliland."

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a statement on Friday that he "announced the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state."

The joint statement of the Arab and Islamic countries confirmed the "unequivocal rejection of Israel's declaration of recognition of the territory of Somaliland located in the Federal Republic of Somalia, in light of the dangerous repercussions of this unprecedented action on peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and its serious implications for international peace and security, reflecting also Israel's clear and total disregard for international law."

The statement pointed out that "recognition of the independence of parts of the territories of states represents a dangerous precedent and a threat to international peace and security and the established principles of international law and the United Nations Charter."

It condemned "in the strongest terms" this recognition, which represents "a gross violation of the rules of international law and the UN Charter, which affirmed the preservation of states' sovereignty and the unity and integrity of their territories."

The countries signing the statement emphasized their "full support for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and rejection of any measures that could disrupt the unity of Somalia, its territorial integrity, and its sovereignty over all its lands."

They declared their "firm rejection of linking this action with any schemes to displace the Palestinian people from their land, which is categorically rejected in form and substance."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas mentioned in a statement on Saturday that the mutual recognition between Israel and the breakaway region of "Somaliland" comes as part of desperate attempts by Tel Aviv to displace Palestinians to Somalia.

The region of "Somaliland," which has not enjoyed official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as an independent administrative, political, and security entity, while the central government has failed to exert control over the region, nor has its leadership managed to achieve independence.

In response to Tel Aviv's recognition, Somalia asserted in a government statement reported by the country's official news agency on Friday its absolute and non-negotiable commitment to its sovereignty and national unity and territorial integrity, announcing its firm rejection of the illegal step taken by Israel recognizing a region in the north of the country.

The Somali government emphasized that the administration of Somaliland is an integral part of the sovereign territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia and cannot be separated or acted upon in any way.

Somalia clarified that it will not allow the establishment of any foreign military bases or arrangements on its territory that could drag it into proxy conflicts or import regional and international hostilities to this area.

"Emergency Session" at the Security Council on Monday

The UN Security Council intends to hold an "extraordinary emergency session" on Monday to discuss Israel's recognition of "Somaliland."

The news site "Times of Israel" reported that the Israeli mission to the United Nations informed journalists that the session is expected to take place on Monday at 15:00 New York time.

Commenting on the anticipated "emergency meeting" at the Security Council, the Israeli permanent representative to the UN, Danny Danon, said, "We will not shy away from political discussions," as he put it.

Danon claimed in a post on the "X" platform that Israel "will continue to act responsibly and cautiously to enhance cooperation with its partners who contribute to regional stability."