Pakistan, OIC, and 20 nations reject Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

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Pakistan, OIC, and 20 nations reject Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has joined 20 other countries and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in firmly rejecting Israel’s decision to recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, warning that the move violates international law and threatens regional stability.

The rejection was outlined in a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Yemen, along with the OIC. 

The statement described Israel’s action as an unprecedented step with serious consequences for peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and beyond.

Furthermore, Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi welcomed the move and said the territory would join the Abraham Accords. 

Somaliland has maintained relative peace and effective autonomy since 1991, following Somalia’s descent into civil war, but it has not been recognised by any other country until now.

In this regard, the 21 nations and the OIC said Israel’s decision indicates a “full and blatant disregard for international law” and constitutes a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, which emphasises respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. 

They expressed full support for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and rejected any measures that undermine its unity or territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, the statement also warned that recognising parts of existing states sets a dangerous precedent that could threaten international peace and security. The signatories further rejected any attempt to link the recognition of Somaliland with plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land, describing such ideas as unacceptable in principle.

In such a scenario, Pakistan’s Foreign Office strongly condemned Israel’s move, calling it an attempt to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty. 

Islamabad urged the international community to reject such actions and to prevent any steps that could destabilise the region or derail efforts toward peace and stability.

Somalia has described Israel’s decision as a deliberate attack on its sovereignty, while the African Union cautioned that the move could set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications across the continent.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also warned that Israel had previously identified Somaliland as a possible destination for the forced displacement of Palestinians, particularly from Gaza, and cautioned against any international complicity.

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