United Nations (EFE).- Khaled Khiari, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, called on the Security Council on Monday for respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity following Israel’s announcement that it recognizes Somaliland as an independent state.
In a session dedicated to the situation in Somalia, Khiari recalled that the Security Council has repeatedly reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty, political independence, and unity of the African country.
Khiari also urged Somalia and Somaliland to resume a “peaceful and constructive dialogue,” recalling the 2023 Djibouti Communique as a framework for negotiations between the two parties.
“We call on both parties to refrain from any action that could further aggravate the situation,” he added.
Somalia’s representative, Abukar Osman, condemned Israel’s action, which he considers “null” as it “violates the principles of the UN.”
“They seek to fragment the territory; we must reject this announcement in the clearest terms,” said Osman, who called on member states to unite in rejecting this action, which he described as an “attack on the international legal order.”
Israel officially recognized Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state” on Dec. 26, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel’s recognition, the first country in the world to take this step, has met with widespread international rejection, especially from Africa, the Islamic world, China, and the European Union.
The Arab League (formed by 22 countries, including Somalia) said on Sunday that the recognition constitutes an “attack” on regional security, urging the application of “legal, economic, political, and diplomatic measures” against Israel.
The Federal Government of Somalia also categorically rejected the measure, stating that no external actor has the authority to modify its unity or territorial configuration.
The Somali statement noted that any recognition of Somaliland by Israel or other countries lacks legal and political validity and that actions of this type can destabilize the region and increase international tensions.
On Dec. 27, both chambers of the Somali Parliament also condemned the Israeli recognition, considering it “illegal” and without international legal effect. EFE
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