Pakistan at UN calls Israel’s recognition of Somaliland a ‘direct attack’ on Somali sovereignty

Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland at the United Nations Security Council, calling it a “direct attack” on Somalia’s sovereignty, as several member states warned the move could destabilize the Horn of Africa and violate international law.

Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the UN, Muhammad Usama Iqbal Jadoon, said the recognition constitutes a “blatant violation of international law” and urged the Security Council to reject all actions that undermine the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.

“Any action that distracts, weakens cohesion or fuels division is deeply irresponsible,” Jadoon said, adding that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land has been a central source of instability in the Middle East for decades. “He is now exporting this destabilizing behavior to the Horn of Africa.”

Israel on December 26 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.

Foreign ministers from more than 20 Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement on Sunday rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

In his remarks, Jadoon highlighted the concerning nature of Israel’s actions, saying: “In the context of Israel’s previous references to ‘Somaliland’ of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a destination for the expulsion of the Palestinian people, particularly from Gaza, its illegal recognition of the ‘Somaliland’ region is deeply troubling.

Reports surfaced in March that the United States and Israel had contacted officials in Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland to explore using their territories as potential destinations to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.

Jadoon emphasized: “For decades, Israel’s dispossession and occupation of Palestinian land has been a central source of instability and conflict in the Middle East. It is now exporting this destabilizing conduct to the Horn of Africa, with serious implications for regional peace and security. »

Read: More than 20 Muslim countries condemn Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

He also made clear that Pakistan “unequivocally rejects any proposal or plan aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians,” noting that a previous UN Security Council resolution endorsing US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan explicitly stated that “no one will be forced to leave Gaza.”

Israel’s announcement sparked widespread regional and international criticism, with statements issued by Egypt, Jordan, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, as well as a collective statement from 20 countries in the Middle East and Africa rejecting and condemning the move. Regional bodies and partners – including the League of Arab States, the East African Community, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union – have stressed the importance of respecting the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Somalia’s representative strongly condemned Israel’s “blatant attack” on his country’s unity and territorial integrity through its recognition of “the so-called ‘Somaliland,’ which is legally incapable of entering into any agreement or arrangement with any other country.” He stressed that such arrangements are “null and void” and constitute a direct violation of the United Nations Charter, the fundamental principles of the African Union and international law.

Denmark’s representative warned against setting a “dangerous precedent” that could further inflame tensions in the Horn of Africa, stressing that any resolution on the international status of Somaliland must take place within the framework of Somalia’s legal and constitutional order.

The UK delegate noted that “Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups are taking advantage of internal divisions in Somalia.” The French representative stressed the importance of avoiding any measures likely to “compromise peace and security” in Somalia, the Horn of Africa or the Gulf of Aden.

China’s delegate said “Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory” and opposed any attempt to divide the country, describing the issue as “entirely Somalia’s internal affairs” to be resolved by the Somali people.

Learn more: Houthi leader says Israeli presence in Somaliland will be seen as ‘military target’

The representative of the Russian Federation stressed that Somalia’s internal disputes must be resolved “on the basis of an inclusive national dialogue, without any external interference.”

However, U.S. Representative Tammy Bruce expressed support for Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, saying it “has the same right to maintain diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state.” She recalled that at the beginning of 2025, several countries had unilaterally recognized a “non-existent Palestinian state”, noting that “no emergency meeting had been convened to express the indignation of this Council”.

She added: “The continued double standards and misdirection of this Council distract from its mission of maintaining international peace and security. » She clarified, however, that “we have no announcement to make regarding the recognition of Somaliland by the United States and that there has been no change in American policy.”

Israel’s delegate stressed that his country’s recognition is “neither provocative nor new,” describing it as “a legal and principled recognition of a long-established reality, consistent with international law and aligned with the values ​​that this Council is supposed to uphold.” He further said the recognition is “not an act of defiance” but “an opportunity” to bring clarity, encourage accountability and strengthen stability in the Horn of Africa.

Somalia’s representative, Abukar Dahir Osman, strongly condemned the remarks, saying it was outrageous that a delegate was “lecturing us today” when Israel is “deliberately starving” Gaza and has killed more than 70,000 civilians, including children, women and the elderly. He said Somalia is “one country, one people, one religion”, united in its struggle for independence and in the fight against terrorism in the Horn of Africa.