In a firm diplomatic move reflecting the depth of Arab and Islamic ties, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Federal Republic of Somalia during the extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Jeddah. His Excellency Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the meeting on behalf of His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
A firm rejection of any infringement upon the territorial integrity of Somalia
The Kingdom's statement during the meeting aimed to put an end to attempts to destabilize the Horn of Africa. His Excellency the Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed the Kingdom's full support for Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. Saudi Arabia expressed its complete and unequivocal rejection of the announced mutual recognition between the Israeli occupation authorities and the breakaway region of "Somaliland." Riyadh considered this step a consecration of unilateral actions that blatantly violate the principles of international law and contravene the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which stipulates respect for the sovereignty of member states.
Dimensions of Israeli intervention and its regional risks
This Saudi condemnation is of paramount importance given the complex geopolitical context of the Horn of Africa. The Israeli entity's attempts to establish a foothold in this strategic region through separatist entities not only threaten Somalia but also directly impact Arab and Islamic national security. The Saudi warning stems from a profound understanding that legitimizing these parallel entities opens the door to political and security chaos, the repercussions of which could extend to navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, thus necessitating a firm, collective response.
A call for a unified Islamic stance
The Kingdom did not merely issue a statement of its position, but also spearheaded a diplomatic initiative within the organization, with Al-Khuraiji calling on member states to adopt a unified Islamic stance rejecting any dealings with or recognition of separatist entities in Somalia. He emphasized the necessity of holding Israel fully responsible for any political or security repercussions that might arise from this hostile behavior, which aims to fragment Arab and Islamic states.
International action and the Palestinian issue
In linking the nation's critical issues, the Deputy Foreign Minister called for coordinated action in international forums to prevent the creation of dangerous precedents that threaten the unity of nations. As is customary in Saudi diplomacy, the speech emphasized the centrality of the Palestinian cause, with Al-Khuraiji reiterating the Kingdom's support for all efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights to self-determination and establish their independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He stressed that respect for the national sovereignty of states is an indivisible principle.
