Jeddah witnessed intense diplomatic activity today, as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Member States to discuss the rapid and dangerous developments affecting the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in response to the provocative step of Israel, the occupying power, recognizing the so-called “Somaliland” region as an independent state.
Historical background and strategic dimensions
These developments come at a sensitive time for the Horn of Africa. Somaliland, a region that unilaterally declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government, has not received international recognition from the United Nations or regional organizations for decades. Israel's recent move is interpreted as an attempt to break this international consensus and exploit internal tensions to bolster its influence in a region that controls vital shipping lanes.
In this context, the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Turkey and Chairman of the meeting, Musa Kulakaya, affirmed that the meeting aimed to send a strong message of solidarity with Somalia, condemning Israel's illegitimate recognition. He clarified that this support is not limited to Somalia as a member state, but rather is a defense of the entire Muslim world against attempts at fragmentation.
The importance of the Horn of Africa to regional security
Kulakkaya emphasized the geopolitical importance of the Horn of Africa, which overlooks global shipping lanes through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in addition to its significance in the Nile Basin and its natural resources. He noted that Turkey and other Islamic countries are guided by the principles of peace and respect for sovereignty, warning that the Israeli move by Netanyahu's government aims to destabilize the region and the world, and constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter.
A unified stance against violations
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, described the meeting as taking place at a critical juncture, emphasizing that the Israeli recognition constitutes a dangerous precedent and a direct threat to regional security and stability. He called for a unified and firm Islamic stance rejecting this blatant attack on Somalia's territorial integrity, noting that this behavior undermines the international order based on respect for the sovereignty of states.
Somalia and Palestine: A shared destiny
In his address, the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, categorically rejected any infringement upon his country's sovereignty, asserting that the so-called "Somaliland" is an integral part of Somali territory. The Somali minister drew parallels between the situation in his country and that of the Palestinian people, reiterating Mogadishu's unwavering support for Palestinian rights and its rejection of forced displacement attempts, emphasizing that justice cannot be achieved by violating the sovereignty of nations.
To reinforce this connection, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine, Farseen Shaheen, affirmed Palestine’s full support for Somalia, considering that the Israeli interference in Somali affairs is an extension of the occupation policy based on aggression and undermining the chances for peace, and a disregard for international principles, just as it does in the ongoing war of extermination against the Palestinian people.
