Somalia praises Saudi Arabia's efforts to support stability in Yemen and security in the Red Sea
In a move reflecting the depth of Arab relations and the shared destiny of the region's countries, the Federal Republic of Somalia reaffirmed its firm and principled support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Yemen. In an official statement, the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its categorical rejection of any attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the Yemeni state or weaken its national institutions, emphasizing that the stability of Yemen is an integral part of the stability of the Horn of Africa and the Arab world.
Supporting legitimacy and political solutions
The Somali statement affirmed its full support for the legitimate Yemeni government, noting that sustainable solutions to the crisis must stem from the will of the Yemeni people themselves through peaceful political dialogue. This position is rooted in Mogadishu's firm belief that preserving the Yemeni state and its institutions is the only way to achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security and development, and to end years of human suffering caused by the conflict.
The Saudi role: a pillar of stability
In a related context, Somalia commended the leading and pivotal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni crisis. The statement praised Riyadh's diplomatic, political, and humanitarian efforts to end the crisis, including peace initiatives aimed at bringing the Yemeni parties to the negotiating table based on the three internationally and regionally agreed-upon frameworks (the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions).
The Somali commendation was not limited to the political aspect only, but extended to include the great humanitarian role of the Kingdom, and the efforts of the Arab Coalition to support legitimacy in protecting the institutions of the Yemeni state and preventing their collapse, which is a safety valve not only for Yemen, but for the entire region.
Red Sea and Horn of Africa security
The statement addressed the geopolitical dimension of the crisis, with Somalia emphasizing that Yemen's security is intrinsically linked to the security of international navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Given the strategic geographical location shared by Yemen and Somalia on opposite sides of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, any threat to Yemen's stability negatively impacts the Horn of Africa and global trade.
The Somali Foreign Ministry concluded its statement by calling on the international community to intensify its efforts to support the comprehensive peace process, stressing its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of any threats to its security or the stability of the region, considering that the security of the Kingdom, Yemen and Somalia represents an interconnected security system that cannot be divided.
