FO says illegal, provocative Israeli actions constitute blatant violation of international law
Pakistan has strongly condemned any attempt to undermine the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and rejected the announcement made by Israel recognizing 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 blatant violation of international law. The statement said 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 such actions and prevent and deter Israel from undermining ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the broader region, the statement 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 lands, whatever the 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 pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
A day ago, Israel became the first country to officially recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent, sovereign state – a move 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 economics. In a statement, he congratulated Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.
Netanyahu said the declaration “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump.”
The 2020 accords were negotiated by the first Trump administration and included Israel formalizing diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries joining later.
Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and the president of Somaliland signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, the Israeli statement said.
Abdullahi said in a statement that Somaliland would rejoin the Abraham Accords, calling them a step towards regional and global peace. He said Somaliland was committed to building partnerships, enhancing mutual prosperity and promoting stability in the Middle East and Africa.
But the Somali government condemned Israel’s decision as an “illegal measure” 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 take 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 had phone calls Friday with his counterparts in Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss what they called dangerous developments in the Horn of Africa following Israel’s announcement.
The ministers condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, and warned that recognition of breakaway regions posed a threat to international peace and security, the Egyptian 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 risk compromising peace and stability across the continent, the AU Commission chairperson said.
