FO says that Israeli illegal and provocative actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law
Pakistan has strongly condemned any attempt to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and rejected Israel’s announcement to recognize the independence of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the foreign ministry said.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such illegal and provocative actions constitute a clear violation of international law. The statement said these actions not only threaten the peace and stability of the brotherly country of Somalia, but also threaten the security of the entire region.
The international community must step in to reject such actions and prevent and deter Israel from undermining ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the wider region, it added.
Pakistan reiterated its full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.
Pakistan also reiterated its unequivocal rejection of any move aimed at the forcible expulsion of Palestinians from their land under any circumstances and reaffirmed its unwavering support to the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and for the establishment of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders as its Al-Sharifd borders as its capital.
A day ago, Israel 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, Reuters reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and economy. In a statement, he congratulated Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.
Netanyahu said the statement “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump.”
The 2020 agreements were brokered by Trump’s first administration and included Israel formalizing diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries joining later.
Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland’s president signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, the Israeli statement said.
Abdullahi said in a statement that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, calling it a step towards regional and global peace. He said Somaliland was committed to building partnerships, enhancing mutual prosperity and promoting stability throughout the Middle East and Africa.
But Somalia’s government condemned Israel’s move as an “illegal step” and a “deliberate attack” on the country’s sovereignty and rejected any recognition of Somaliland, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
“The Federal Government reaffirms its willingness to pursue all necessary diplomatic, political and legal measures in accordance with international law to defend its sovereignty, unity and internationally recognized borders,” the statement said.
Egypt said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls Friday with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss what they described as dangerous developments in the Horn of Africa following Israel’s announcement.
The ministers condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and warned that recognition of breakaway regions poses a threat to international peace and security, Egypt’s foreign ministry said.
The African Union also rejected any recognition of Somaliland and reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment” to Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, warning that such moves risked undermining peace and stability across the continent, the AU Commission chairman said.
