Somaliland recognition draws global criticism

Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state has drawn sharp international criticism at the United Nations Security Council, with Somalia and several countries warning that the move threatens stability and risks inflaming tensions in the Horn of Africa, and undermines Somalia's sovereignty and political cohesion.

In a statement, Somalia condemned the move as a "flagrant assault" on its unity, following Israel's announcement on December 26 recognizing Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign State".

Israel's remarks drew swift regional and international pushback. Egypt, Jordan, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye issued statements rejecting the move, while regional blocs including the African Union, the East African Community, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union and the League of Arab States reiterated support for Somalia's unity and territorial integrity.

Briefing the UN Security Council on Monday, Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs, said Somalia had reaffirmed its "absolute and non-negotiable commitment to its sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity", rejecting what it described as "a deliberate attack" on its sovereignty.

"No external actor has the authority" to alter Somalia's territorial configuration, Khiari said, citing the country's official statement, which declared any "declaration, recognition or arrangement" undermining that reality "null and void".

Somalia's representative, speaking on behalf of Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, told the Council that Israel's recognition of "so-called 'Somaliland', which is legally incapable of entering into any agreement or arrangement with another country", violated the UN Charter, African Union principles and international law.

"This act of aggression is aimed at encouraging fragmentation of Somalia," he said, urging all member states to condemn it "unequivocally".

Khiari also said that Somalia stressed it would not allow foreign military bases or arrangements that could draw the country into proxy conflicts.

Other Council members echoed similar concerns warning against unilateral actions that could inflame tensions.

According to the local media reports, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told a virtual ministerial meeting of the Council on Monday that Israel's recognition of Somaliland undermines the foundations of regional and international peace and security, particularly in the Horn of Africa region.

He called for the convening of an emergency meeting to address the development and reaffirm Somalia's unity and territorial integrity, as well as rejecting unilateral actions that threaten regional and international peace and security.

Also on Monday, South Africa said in a statement that recognition violated the principle of respecting inherited borders, warning it risked a "domino effect of instability".

Public anger had also surfaced in Somalia, with local media reporting hundreds of protesters gathering in the capital Mogadishu, chanting slogans such as "Somalia is indivisible" and "Somaliland is Somalia".

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has never received international recognition, with the international community consistently affirming Somalia's territorial integrity as central to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.