Pakistan urges OIC unity as bloc rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

Ishaq Dar tells Jeddah meeting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland violates international law

Pakistan has urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the wider international community to unite in rejecting any actions that undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The call was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar while addressing the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah on Sunday, according to Radio Pakistan.

Addressing the session, Dar described the meeting as a strong demonstration of collective solidarity with Somalia in the face of what he called Israel’s blatant infringement on its sovereignty. He said Israel’s recognition of the self-declared “Somaliland” as an independent state was a direct violation of Somalia’s national unity and territorial integrity.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, declared independence unilaterally in 1991 after the collapse of the central Somali government. While the region has its own administration, security apparatus and periodic elections, it has not been recognised as a sovereign state by the United Nations or any major international organisation.

Read: Dar to attend OIC moot on Somaliland

The federal government in Mogadishu has consistently maintained that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has sparked controversy in Somalia and drawn criticism across Africa and the Muslim world.

OIC member states had already firmly rejected Israel’s move in December. In a joint statement, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye and Yemen said the recognition amounted to a blatant disregard of international law and the United Nations Charter, which safeguards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

At Sunday’s session, the OIC again condemned Israel’s actions and adopted a resolution convened at Somalia’s request. The resolution rejected Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland”, describing it as a flagrant violation of the internationally recognised borders of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The OIC reaffirmed its full support for Somalia’s sovereignty and expressed unwavering solidarity with the Somali government.

Also read: Muslim bloc backs Somalia sovereignty

The OIC also passed a separate resolution on the situation in the Middle East, reaffirming that a just, lasting and comprehensive peace depends on Israel’s complete withdrawal from all Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.

The resolution stressed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and called for continued efforts to sustain the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, while urging further action in line with the United Nations Security Council’s ceasefire resolution.

According to the spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DPM/FM Dar also urged SG OIC Hissein Brahim Taha to step up his efforts for the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar is also expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts from OIC member states to discuss regional and international developments and ways to strengthen cooperation.