In a firm stance reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the stability of the Horn of Africa region, Riyadh reaffirmed its unequivocal support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, considering this principle an essential and indispensable pillar for the stability of the Somali state and the strengthening of the regional security system in the strategically sensitive region.
This Saudi move comes in response to recent developments, namely the announcement by the Israeli occupation authorities of their recognition of the “Somaliland” region, which the Kingdom described as an act of aggression that threatens the sovereignty of a sister Arab state, and constitutes a flagrant violation of the established principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, which requires respect for the sovereignty of states and not to infringe upon their internationally recognized borders.
Historical background and context of the crisis
To understand the dimensions of this situation, it's important to note that the region of Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence from the central government in Mogadishu in 1991 following the collapse of the central regime and the outbreak of civil war. However, it has not received formal international recognition as an independent state, as the international community considers the region an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The Israeli move appears to be an attempt to exploit this loophole to deepen internal divisions, a move rejected by Arab and African states in their efforts to preserve Somalia's unity.
In its statement, the Kingdom stressed that the Somaliland region has no legal right to conclude any international agreements or exercise sovereign acts that are exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, warning that Israeli recognition not only threatens Somalia, but also casts a dark shadow on security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
Geopolitical dimensions and the threat to Red Sea security
The danger of this move extends beyond the local political dimension to touch upon global economic security. The Horn of Africa overlooks the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important waterways, through which a significant percentage of global trade and energy supplies pass. Observers believe that the Israeli intervention aims to establish a foothold in this vital region, potentially transforming it into an arena of international conflict and tension, negatively impacting supply chains and maritime navigation safety.
The Kingdom indicated that the best interests of the Somaliland region lie in distancing itself from the dubious agendas led by Israel, known for its destabilizing tendencies, warning that engaging in such alliances would isolate the region from its Arab, Islamic, and African surroundings. Saudi Arabia called on the international community to adopt a unified stance rejecting these unilateral actions and to support Somalia's right to maintain its territorial integrity, thus ensuring regional and international peace and security.
