Arab and Islamic States Reject Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

A coalition of Arab and Islamic nations, together with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has strongly rejected Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. The decision, announced on December 26, has sparked widespread diplomatic condemnation.

In a joint statement released on Saturday, foreign ministers described Israel’s recognition as an unprecedented violation of international law and the UN Charter, which uphold principles of state sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The ministers warned that the move could have serious repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.

Israel formally recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state and signed a diplomatic agreement with the region, marking Somaliland’s first-ever official recognition.

The ministers reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that any attempt to undermine the country’s unity is unacceptable. They also warned that recognizing secessionist regions could set a dangerous precedent and threaten international peace and security.

The statement highlighted opposition to any connection between the recognition and proposals to displace the Palestinian people, asserting that such measures are rejected in form and substance.

Signatories of the statement included the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye, Yemen, and the OIC.

Saudi Arabia also expressed its full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and reiterated its rejection of the mutual recognition agreement between Israel and Somaliland.