Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Twenty-one Arab and Muslim countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, and Pakistan, have issued a joint statement rejecting Israel’s unilateral recognition of the Somali region known as “Somaliland” as an independent state, warning that the move poses serious risks to regional and international stability.
In a statement released on Saturday by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers of 21 countries, along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemned Israel’s announcement on 26 December, describing it as a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, which affirm the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of states.
The statement stressed that recognizing the independence of parts of a sovereign country sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the foundations of international peace and security. The signatories warned that the decision could further destabilize the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, areas already facing complex political and security challenges.
The countries reaffirmed their full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, rejecting any actions that could weaken its unity or compromise its control over its internationally recognized borders. They emphasized that unilateral measures of this nature contradict established principles of international law and risk fueling further instability.
The joint statement also firmly rejected any attempt to link Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland” to proposals involving the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land, describing such ideas as unacceptable in form and substance.
Israel’s move was announced on Friday, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel had formally recognized what it referred to as the “Republic of Somaliland” as a sovereign state, following the signing of a joint declaration with Somaliland’s leadership. The announcement immediately drew widespread criticism across the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Diplomatic observers say the strong collective response reflects growing regional concern over unilateral actions that challenge internationally recognized borders, particularly in fragile regions such as the Horn of Africa, and underscores broad support for Somalia’s unity amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
