Ishaq Dar says Jeddah meeting on Israel’s recognition of Somaliland violates international law
Pakistan has urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the broader international community to unite in rejecting any action that undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
The call was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar while addressing the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah on Sunday, according to Radio Pakistan.
Addressing the session, Dar described the meeting as a strong demonstration of collective solidarity with Somalia in the face of what he called Israel’s flagrant violation of its sovereignty. He said Israel’s recognition of self-proclaimed “Somaliland” as an independent state was a direct violation of the national unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.
Somaliland, located in northwest Somalia, unilaterally declared independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Somali central government. While the region has its own administration, security apparatus, and regular elections, it has not been recognized as a sovereign state by the United Nations or any major international organization.
Read: Dar to attend OIC discussion on Somaliland
The federal government in Mogadishu has consistently maintained that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has sparked controversy in Somalia and drawn criticism in Africa and the Muslim world.
OIC member states had already firmly rejected Israel’s move in December. In a joint statement, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye and Yemen said the recognition amounted to blatant disregard of international law and the United Nations Charter, which safeguards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.
At Sunday’s session, the OIC again condemned Israel’s actions and adopted a resolution called at the request of Somalia. The resolution rejected Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland”, describing it as a flagrant violation of the internationally recognized borders of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The OIC reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty of Somalia and expressed its unwavering solidarity with the Somali government.
Also read: The Muslim bloc supports the sovereignty of Somalia
The OIC also passed a separate resolution on the situation in the Middle East, reaffirming that a just, lasting and comprehensive peace depends on Israel’s complete withdrawal from all Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.
The resolution highlighted the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and called for continued efforts to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, while urging further action in line with the United Nations Security Council ceasefire resolution.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar is also expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts from OIC member states to discuss regional and international developments and ways to strengthen cooperation.
