The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly rejected Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and convened an emergency meeting of its foreign ministers to discuss the issue.
The extraordinary session was called in response to Israel’s recent announcement and the evolving situation in Somalia. The OIC has already termed the move a clear breach of Somalia’s internationally recognised borders and a violation of international law.
Addressing the meeting, OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha said the organisation firmly supports Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that Israel’s decision regarding Somaliland contravenes international law.
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Elkhereiji said all attempts to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty were unacceptable. He noted that the Somali government had the capacity to unite countries in the region through dialogue, and also stressed the need to move towards the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian said Palestine fully supports Somalia’s UN-recognised borders and described Israel’s move to recognise Somaliland as a violation of international law.
Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali told the meeting that his country would not allow any state to use Somali territory, stressing that any infringement of Somalia’s borders amounted to an attack on its sovereignty. He said the so-called Somaliland was an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and that Israel’s actions constituted a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty.
The Turkish representative also condemned the Israeli move as unacceptable and reaffirmed Ankara’s unwavering support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in Saudi Arabia to attend the OIC meeting on the Somaliland dispute.
