Somalia said it was concerned that the recognition would provide a pretext for forced displacement of Palestinians.
Somalia said Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, was a “direct and grave threat to international peace and security.”
Somalia rejected the move as a violation of its sovereignty and said it was “morally indefensible” in a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday.
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Last week, Israel became the first country to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state. Israel described the move as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which were brokered by the United States and normalized relations between Israel and several Arab countries.
“We further note with deep concern reports that this recognition could serve as a pretext for the forced relocation of Palestinians to northwest Somalia,” Somalia’s letter to the Security Council said.
“Israel’s actions not only set a dangerous precedent and risk destabilizing the Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions, but also undermine collective efforts and pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security,” Somalia said in the letter, calling on Security Council members to protect its sovereignty.
Abu Bakr Dahir Othman, Somalia’s representative on the Security Council, echoed the sentiments of the letter, saying:
“This area [Somaliland] We have no legal right to enter into any treaties or agreements or to receive recognition from other states,” Osman said.
“This act of aggression is aimed at furthering the division of Somalia and must be rejected and unequivocally condemned by all member states,” he added.
recognition denied
Britain said on Monday it would not recognize Somaliland’s independence and reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The statement said armed groups were profiting from divisions in the country and called for efforts between the Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland authorities to “address differences and work together to confront common threats.”
Earlier on Monday, other countries, including China, also refused to recognize Somaliland.
“No country should encourage or support domestic separatist forces in other countries for its own selfish interests,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Monday called on the international community to “reject external interference and support a united and stable Somalia.”
But Tammy Bruce, deputy US representative to the United Nations, said: “Israel has the same right to establish diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state.”
Bruce added that “several countries, including members of this Council, have unilaterally recognized a non-existent Palestinian state, yet no emergency session has been convened,” accusing the Security Council of “double standards.”
Bruce added: “There will be no announcement regarding the recognition of Somaliland and there will be no change in U.S. policy.”
Somaliland gained independence from Somalia in 1991 after a civil war under military leader Siad Barre. The self-declared republic controls part of northwest Somalia and has its own constitution, currency and flag.
It claims territory from the former British protectorate of Somaliland, but its eastern region remains under the control of a rival regime loyal to Somalia. It has been seeking international acceptance for over 30 years without success.
