Joint Muslim Nations Condemn Israeli FM Visit to Somaliland, Reaffirm Support for Somalia’s Unity

GOOBJOOG NEWS|JORDAN: A group of Muslim-majority countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have issued a strong joint condemnation of Israel’s recent engagement with Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.

The foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Yemen, together with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, denounced what they described as an illegal visit by an Israeli official to Somaliland on 6 January 2026.

The ministers said the visit breached Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and ran counter to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. They reaffirmed their full support for the unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and warned that encouraging secessionist agendas could further destabilize an already fragile region.

The statement follows an earlier joint declaration issued on 27 December 2025, in which the same group rejected Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, a self-declared administration in northern Somalia that has sought international recognition since 1991 but remains unrecognized by the United Nations.

Somalia has strongly opposed Israel’s move, describing it as an infringement on its sovereignty. The federal government has since pursued diplomatic and legal avenues to rally international support, particularly within the Islamic world and at multilateral forums, to reverse the decision.

In their latest remarks, the foreign ministers stressed the importance of respecting international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, and adherence to established diplomatic norms as essential foundations for regional and global stability. They also commended Somalia for what they described as its commitment to peaceful international engagement, constructive diplomacy, and compliance with international law.

The ministers said they would continue to support Somalia’s diplomatic and legal efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and stability, and called on Israel to fully respect Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. They demanded the immediate revocation of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, insisting that such actions undermine international norms and risk escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa.