FO says Israel’s illegal and provocative actions are a flagrant violation of international law
Pakistan has strongly condemned any attempt to undermine the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and rejected Israel’s announcement to recognize the independence of the so-called Somaliland region from the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such illegal and provocative actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law. The statement said that these actions not only threaten the peace and stability of the brotherly country of Somalia, but also endanger the security of the entire region.
The international community must intervene to reject any such action and prevent and deter Israel from undermining ongoing efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the broader region, he added.
Pakistan reiterated its full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.
Pakistan also reiterated its unequivocal rejection of any measures aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land under any circumstances, and reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and for the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
A day ago, Israel became the first country to formally recognize the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland as an independent, sovereign state, a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia’s long-standing opposition to secession, Reuters reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. In a statement he congratulated the president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.
Netanyahu said the statement “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump.”
The 2020 agreements were negotiated by the first Trump administration and included Israel formalizing diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which other countries joined later.
Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and the president of Somaliland signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, according to the Israeli statement.
Abdullahi said in a statement that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, calling it a step towards regional and global peace. He said Somaliland was committed to building partnerships, boosting mutual prosperity and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa.
But Somalia’s government condemned Israel’s move as an “illegal step” and a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty, rejecting any recognition of Somaliland, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
“The federal government affirms its determination to adopt all necessary diplomatic, political and legal measures, in accordance with international law, to defend its sovereignty, unity and internationally recognized borders,” the statement said.
Egypt said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls on Friday with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss what they described as dangerous developments in the Horn of Africa following Israel’s announcement.
The ministers condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reaffirmed their full support for the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and warned that recognizing breakaway regions represented a threat to international peace and security, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said.
The African Union also rejected any recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming its “unwavering commitment” to the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and warning that such measures risked undermining peace and stability across the continent, the AU Commission chairman said.
