Somalia has condemned Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, insisting the breakaway region remains an “integral, inseparable and inalienable” part of its sovereign territory.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Somali Prime Minister’s office rejected Israel’s move as unlawful and contrary to international law, stressing that Mogadishu will not accept any attempt to undermine its territorial integrity.
The African Union, Arab League, Nigeria, Egypt and several other countries and international organisations have also criticised Israel’s action, warning that it poses a serious threat to international peace and security.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in the early 1990s, has never been internationally recognised as a sovereign state.
Following its recent war on Gaza, Israel has reportedly sought ways to relocate displaced Palestinians. A March report indicated that the United States and Israel had approached Somaliland with proposals to resettle Gazans there in exchange for financial, diplomatic and security support.
The plan was widely denounced by Palestine and the broader international community as a grave violation of international law and an act tantamount to ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
Mogadishu has now formally demanded that Israel withdraw its recognition of Somaliland.
