Ishaq Dar speaking at a high-level OIC event on peace and tolerance on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly
ISLAMABAD:
An extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is taking place today in Jeddah to discuss Israel’s recognition of the self-proclaimed Somaliland region, a move that has drawn strong condemnation from the Muslim world.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will attend the meeting and present Pakistan’s views.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the emergency meeting was called due to the “rapid escalation of developments in Somalia”, following Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent entity.
The OIC called the decision a blatant violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. During the session, Dar is expected to reiterate Islamabad’s strong support for Somalia’s unity and internationally recognized borders.
The Foreign Minister will also hold bilateral sideline meetings with his counterparts from OIC Member States to discuss broader regional and international developments, as well as avenues for enhanced cooperation.
The OIC General Secretariat said that the extraordinary meeting aims to coordinate a unified Islamic position and reaffirm its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, in accordance with international law, the United Nations Charter and relevant OIC resolutions.
Somaliland, located in northwest Somalia, declared its independence unilaterally in 1991 following the collapse of the Somali central government.
Although the region has maintained its own administration, security apparatus, and periodic elections, it has not been recognized as a sovereign state by the United Nations or any major international organization.
The federal government in Mogadishu has always maintained that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has therefore sparked significant controversy, not only in Somalia but also in Africa and the Muslim world.
Somali authorities strongly condemned the decision, calling it an attack on their sovereignty and a destabilizing measure for the Horn of Africa, a region already grappling with conflict, piracy, humanitarian crises and competition from great powers.
Within the OIC, this issue is seen as setting a troubling precedent that could encourage separatist movements and undermine the principle of territorial integrity enshrined in international law.
Several member states have expressed concern that unilateral recognition of breakaway regions could further fragment fragile states.
Pakistan has traditionally taken a clear position on these issues, consistently opposing unilateral secession and external recognition of disputed territories.
Diplomats say Islamabad is likely to align closely with the OIC consensus, emphasizing respect for sovereignty, non-interference and adherence to international legal frameworks.
Analysts note that Pakistan’s stance toward Somaliland is also shaped by its broader foreign policy principles, including strong support for Muslim countries facing territorial challenges and opposition to actions perceived to violate international norms.
Islamabad has long supported Somalia in multilateral forums and supports international efforts aimed at stabilizing and state-building in the country.
The outcome of the Jeddah meeting is expected to include a strong collective statement condemning Israel’s decision, reaffirming Somalia’s territorial integrity and possibly outlining diplomatic steps to raise the issue in international forums, including the UN.
As tensions continue to simmer, the OIC special session highlights the growing diplomatic fallout from Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and underscores the organization’s attempt to present a united front on an issue with far-reaching regional and geopolitical implications.
