World leaders reject Israel’s recognition of independent Somaliland – JURIST

21 Arab, Islamic, and African nations on Saturday issued a joint statement formally rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation.

The statement asserted that recognizing Somaliland as a nation independent of Somalia constitutes a grave violation of international law, emphasizing the repercussions of this recognition on “peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and its serious effects on international peace and security as a whole.” The statement also rejected any potential link between the recognition and attempts to forcibly expel Palestinians from their land.

This statement follows a joint declaration signed by Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, which aligns with the Abraham Accords. US President Donald Trump brokered the accords, aimed at establishing ties between Israel and several Arab nations in pursuit of his goal to transform the Middle East.

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in May 1991 after a period of conflict that left the country in torment. Despite having its own government and currency, Somaliland had not been recognized as a formal country until Israel did so on Friday. According to analysts from the Council on Foreign Relations, Somaliland’s claim for independence stems from cultural differences and its stability in the region, compared to Somalia, “which hasn’t been a functioning country in decades.”

Other countries around the globe have also expressed their disapproval of Somaliland’s recognition. Notably, despite the US and Israel’s failed proposition to Somaliland earlier this year for Somaliland to take in Palestinians from Gaza, the US State Department announced Saturday that they will continue to recognize the territorial integrity of Somalia, “which includes the territory of Somaliland.”

The EU also issued a statement emphasizing its disapproval of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, as it threatens peace and security in the African region. Their statement concluded with a call to action for the Somalian government to resolve long-standing differences with Somaliland.