The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland and supports Palestine

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened today in Jeddah for its 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Member States to discuss the rapidly evolving and dangerous developments in the Horn of Africa, specifically Israel's recognition of the so-called "Somaliland" as an independent state. The meeting witnessed a broad Islamic consensus rejecting this move, deeming it a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and a threat to Arab and Islamic national security.

Dimensions of the crisis and its historical background

This exceptional session comes at a highly sensitive time, as Israel seeks to expand its influence in the African continent, particularly in the Horn of Africa, a region of major geopolitical importance due to its location overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. The region of Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has not received international recognition from the United Nations or the African Union, both of which uphold the territorial integrity of Somalia. This recent Israeli move is interpreted as an attempt to destabilize the region and exploit internal divisions to achieve strategic and military gains.

Türkiye warns against destabilization

At the opening session, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulakkaya, who chaired the meeting, affirmed his country's strong solidarity with Somalia. He stated, "We are gathered here today to condemn Israel's illegitimate recognition of Israel and to reaffirm our unwavering support for the Islamic nation." Kulakkaya emphasized the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa, which encompasses the Nile Basin and global transportation routes, warning that the policies of Netanyahu's government aim to create new hotspots extending beyond the Middle East into the heart of Africa, thus threatening international peace and security.

The organization's position: a violation of international law

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, described the Israeli move as a "dangerous precedent" and a violation of the UN Charter. He stressed the need for a unified and firm Islamic stance in support of Somalia's territorial integrity. He explained that this meeting carries important political messages for the international community, namely that Islamic countries will not stand idly by in the face of attempts to fragment member states or infringe upon their sovereignty.

The link between Somalia and the Palestinian issue

The meeting did not overlook the fundamental link between events in Somalia and those in Palestine, with speakers asserting that the source of the threat to stability is the same. In this context, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali affirmed that his country rejects the use of its territory or internal affairs as a gateway to harm Arab national security, reiterating Mogadishu's unwavering support for the rights of the Palestinian people and its rejection of attempts to displace them.

For her part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine, Farseen Shaheen, affirmed that the Israeli recognition of “Somaliland” is an extension of the occupation policy based on aggression and violation of international laws, whether in Gaza and the West Bank or in Africa, calling for concerted efforts to thwart these schemes that aim to undermine the chances of peace and stability in the region.