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

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

Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Muhammad Usama Iqbal Jadoon, stated that the recognition constitutes a “flagrant violation of international law” and called on the Security Council to reject any actions that undermine Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.

“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 key source of Middle East instability for decades. “It is now exporting this destabilizing behavior to the Horn of Africa.”

Israel on December 26 became the first country to formally recognize the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state – a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia’s long-standing resistance 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 troubling nature of Israel’s actions, stating: “Given Israel’s previous references to ‘Somaliland’ in the Federal Republic of Somalia as a destination for the deportation of Palestinian people, particularly from Gaza, its illegal recognition of the ‘Somaliland’ region is deeply troubling.”

Reports had emerged in March indicating that the United States and Israel had approached officials in Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland to explore the use of their territories as potential destinations for the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza.

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

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

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

Israel’s announcement prompted widespread regional and international criticism, with statements issued by Egypt, Jordan, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, along with a joint statement from 20 Middle Eastern and African nations 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 – stressed the importance of respecting Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The representative of Somalia strongly condemned Israel’s “flagrant attack” on his country’s unity and territorial integrity through its recognition of the “so-called ‘Somaliland’, which is legally unable to enter into any agreement or arrangement with any other country.” He stressed that any such alleged arrangement is “null and void” and constitutes a direct violation of the UN Charter, the founding 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 of Somaliland’s international status must take place within the framework of Somalia’s legal and constitutional order.

The United Kingdom delegate noted that “Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups benefit from internal divisions in Somalia.” France’s representative highlighted the importance of avoiding measures that could “compromise peace and security” in Somalia, the Horn of Africa or the Gulf of Aden.

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

Read more: Houthi leader says Israeli presence in Somaliland will be considered ‘military target’

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

However, US Representative Tammy Bruce expressed support for Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, arguing that the country “has the same right to have diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state.” She recalled that earlier in 2025, several countries unilaterally recognized a “non-existent Palestinian state” and noted that “no emergency meetings were called to express the outrage of this Council.”

She added: “This council’s persistent double standards and misdirection of focus distract from its mission to maintain international peace and security.” However, she clarified that “we have no announcement of US recognition of Somaliland and there has been no change in US policy.”

Israel’s delegate emphasized that his country’s recognition is “neither provocative nor new,” describing it as “a legal, principled recognition of a long-established reality, in accordance with international law and in accordance with the values ​​that this Council is intended to uphold.” He further stated that recognition is “not an act of defiance” but “an opportunity” to create 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 for a delegate to “lecture us today” while Israel is “deliberately starving” Gaza and has killed more than 70,000 civilians, including children, women and the elderly. He asserted that 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.