Pakistan among 12 countries condemning Israel’s envoy appointment to Somaliland

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan joined 11 other countries in condemning Israel’s decision to appoint a diplomatic representative to Somaliland, according to a joint statement shared by the Foreign Office on Saturday.

The statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Bangladesh, Algeria, Palestine, Türkiye, Indonesia, Pakistan and Kuwait. It described Israel’s move as ‘their strongest condemnation’ and said the step was “considered a flagrant violation of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia”.

Israel had announced on Wednesday that it was appointing its first ambassador to Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Michael Lotem had been named as a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland.

In the joint statement, the ministers reiterated their “unequivocal rejection of all unilateral measures that undermine the unity of states or infringe upon their sovereignty”. They also reaffirmed support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its state institutions.

“They underscore their firm and unwavering support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia, as well as for its legitimate state institutions, being the sole representative of the will of the Somali people,” it said.

The statement further said that “such actions constitute a blatant violation of the principles of international law, the United Nation’s Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union”. The move “sets a dangerous precedent that risks undermining stability in the Horn of Africa, which reflects negatively on regional peace and security as a whole”.

OIC had also criticised the move

Earlier in the week, the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also denounced Israel’s decision. The organisation reaffirmed its full support for Somalia and its internationally recognised government, and stressed its commitment to the country’s unity and legitimate institutions.

Israel had already become the first country in December to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.

The issue was later raised at the United Nations Security Council, where several countries, including Pakistan, questioned whether Israel’s decision could be connected to proposals involving the forcible relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the establishment of military bases. The United States subsequently defended Israel’s decision at the UNSC.

Somaliland has long described itself as a separate entity, but the joint statement by the 12 countries emphasised support for the Federal Republic of Somalia and rejected steps seen as undermining its territorial integrity.