Mogadishu: Somalia on Friday strongly rejected what it described as an unlawful step by Israel to recognize its breakaway region, Somaliland, as an independent state, calling the move a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia issued a press release reaffirming the government's 'absolute and non-negotiable commitment to its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity.' The statement cited Somalia's Provisional Constitution, the UN Charter, and the African Union's Constitutive Act as the legal foundation for its stance.
The statement from the Federal Government of Somalia categorically rejected Israel's recognition, labeling it a 'deliberate attack' on its sovereignty. Emphasizing that the 'Somaliland Region is an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part of the sovereign territory of Somalia,' the statement stressed that no external actor has the authority to alter the country's unity or territorial configuration.
The Somali government warned that any declaration, recognition, or arrangement challenging this status would be considered 'null, void, and without any legal or political effect under international law.' It reiterated its support for Palestinian rights and condemned actions such as occupation and settlement expansion, emphasizing that Somalia would never accept rendering the Palestinian people stateless.
The government also expressed concerns about the potential establishment of foreign military bases, warning against involvement in 'proxy conflicts or importation of regional and international hostilities.' It highlighted the risks such as Tel Aviv's recognition poses to regional peace and stability, warning of exacerbating political and security tensions in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. There was a concern that these actions could create conditions for terrorist groups to exploit political instability.
In its statement, the Somali government urged the international community to respect international law and principles of non-interference and called on Somali citizens to remain united in defending the nation's sovereignty and borders. The government affirmed its commitment to pursuing all necessary diplomatic, political, and legal measures to defend its internationally recognized borders.
Earlier today, Israel recognized Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has operated as a de facto independent entity, although it lacks official recognition. The Somali government continues to view Somaliland as an integral part of its territory and any direct engagement with it as a violation of Somalia's sovereignty and unity.