Egypt and Djibouti over the weekend joined Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and African Union in condemning Israel’s “unilateral” recognition of Somaliland as “independent and sovereign” state as the United States has yet decided.
Foreign ministries of the countries issued statements hours after Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, describing the recognition as “unlawful.”
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 months after the fall of the Siad Barre government.
Türkiye has been a strong supporter of Somalia’s government. It has been investing in humanitarian activity including in building and equipping a large hospital in Somalia. Also, Türkiye’s largest military base outside of the country is in Somalia clearly indicating its ambition in the Horn of Africa region. It seems to see Somalia more as its protectorate.
Saudi Arabia rejected both Israel and Somaliland over the recognition. It sees it as “an action that entrenches unilateral secessionist measures that violate international law.”
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates on Friday announced that it has a phone conversation with Djibouti and Somalia.
They discussed Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region. Egypt categorically rejected the recognition. They tend to see Israel’s move as a “unilateral action.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is restraining itself from taking a cue behind Israel’s action. It says it will “study” the situation.
U.S. diplomatic and military delegation has been to Hargeisa, Somaliland, over the past few months exploring opportunities for cooperation.
Donald Trump is “Everything is under study…We’ll study it. I study a lot of things and always make great decisions and they turn out to be correct.”
Regional and international bodies, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Chinese government, have rejected Israel’s reported recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, reaffirming their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
During colonial Africa, Somaliland was under the British colonial government. Somaliland politicians and activists argue that their country was not supposed to be part of Somalia. Historical injustice and atrocities, as Somalilanders claim, has played a role in their pursuit of an independent state.
MG/as/APA