OIC, Pakistan and 20 other countries reject Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
Joint statement cautions Israel’s move could destabilize peace and security in the Horn of Africa region
Aamir Abbasi
Editor, Islamabad
Aamir; a journalist with 15 years of experience, working in Newspaper, TV and Digital Media. Worked in Field, covered Big Legal Constitutional and Political Events in Pakistan since 2009 with Pakistan’s Top Media Organizations. Graduate of Quaid I Azam University Islamabad.
A picture taken on November 17, 2016 shows the national flags of the members of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) states flying in front of the clock of the Abraj al-Bait Towers which overlooks the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah.
AFP
Pakistan, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and 20 other Muslim countries have rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to regional and global peace.
In a joint statement issued Sunday, the foreign ministers condemned Israel’s decision announced on Dec. 26, 2025, warning it could have grave repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
The ministers said Israel’s move showed blatant disregard for international law and the United Nations Charter, which upholds state sovereignty and territorial integrity. They said it set a dangerous precedent in international relations.
The statement reaffirmed full support for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and rejected any measures undermining its unity or territorial integrity.
The ministers said recognizing parts of sovereign states threatens international peace and security and violates core principles of international law.
They also rejected any attempt to link Israel’s decision with efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land, calling such actions unacceptable under all circumstances.
Israel recognizes Somaliland
Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
In a statement, Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.
Netanyahu said the declaration was “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” signed at the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The joint statement today was issued by the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey and Yemen, along with the OIC.
The African Union also rejected any recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming its “unwavering commitment” to Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, the AU Commission chair said.
Somaliland has enjoyed effective autonomy and relative stability since 1991, when Somalia descended into civil war, but it has not been recognized by other countries.
Somalia has long mobilized international opposition to recognition of Somaliland.
The former British protectorate hopes Israel’s move will encourage other nations to follow, boosting diplomatic standing and access to markets.
In March, Somalia and Somaliland denied receiving any proposal from the United States or Israel to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, with Mogadishu categorically rejecting any such move.
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