Somalia Condemns Israel's Recognition of Somaliland as Threat to Peace

Somalia Expresses Outrage Over Israel's Recognition of Somaliland

Somalia has denounced Israel's recognition of Somaliland, a separatist region, as a "direct and serious threat to international peace and security." In a letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, Somalia characterized this move as a violation of its sovereignty, calling it "morally unacceptable."

Last week, Israel became the first country to officially recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state. This decision was described by Israel as being in line with the Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations.

In its letter, Somalia expressed deep concerns regarding the potential use of this recognition as a pretext for the forced relocation of Palestinians to northwestern Somalia. "Israel's actions not only create a dangerous precedent and risk destabilizing the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, but they also undermine collective efforts, representing a serious threat to both regional and international peace," Somalia emphasized.

Somalia's representative to the UNSC, Abu Bakr Dahir Osman, reaffirmed the nation's position, stating: "This region [Somaliland] has no legal right to enter into any agreements or receive recognition from other states." He also urged member states to reject this aggression, stressing the need for a unanimous repudiation and condemnation of secessionist actions.

The United Kingdom has stated that it does not recognize Somaliland's independence and reaffirms its support for Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additionally, other countries, including China, have dismissed the recognition of Somaliland, highlighting that "no country should encourage or support the internal separatist forces of other states for selfish interests."

In contrast, the U.S. representative to the UN, Tammy Bruce, stated that "Israel has the same right to establish diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state" and criticized the double standards of the UNSC. Somaliland has enjoyed autonomy from Somalia since 1991, controlling parts of the northwest of the country, but has not received international recognition for over three decades.