ISLAMABAD: The recent high-profile visit by Israeli Foreign Minister GideonSaar to the self-proclaimed Somaliland region has ignited widespreadcondemnation across the Muslim world, raising serious concerns overviolations of international law and potential threats to regional stabilityin the Horn of Africa. Pakistan, alongside more than two dozen countriesand the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), issued a forceful jointstatement declaring the visit illegal and a blatant disregard for Somalia’ssovereignty. This development follows Israel’s unprecedented recognition ofSomaliland as an independent state last month, a move that has deepeneddiplomatic tensions and fueled suspicions about ulterior motives in thestrategic Gulf of Aden area.
The joint declaration, released on January 8, 2026, recalled an earlierstatement from December 27, 2025, which had already rejected Israel’srecognition of Somaliland. Foreign ministers from Algeria, Bangladesh,Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, The Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan,Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, SaudiArabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye, and Yemen, along with the OIC, expressedstrong condemnation of the Israeli foreign minister’s arrival in Hargeisa.They described the visit as an unauthorised incursion that underminesSomalia’s national unity and territorial integrity, in direct contraventionof established international norms and the United Nations Charter.
Somalia has consistently maintained that Somaliland remains an integralpart of its territory since the breakaway declaration in 1991 amid civilwar chaos. Despite Somaliland’s de facto autonomy, including its owncurrency, passport, and armed forces, no other nation had formallyrecognised its independence until Israel’s bold step on December 26, 2025.This recognition, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asaligning with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, promised cooperation inagriculture, health, technology, and economy. However, it immediatelyprovoked backlash from Somalia, which labelled it an unlawful assault onits sovereignty and warned of dangerous precedents for separatist movementsacross Africa.
The strategic location of Somaliland along the Gulf of Aden has amplifiedgeopolitical stakes in the region. Analysts point to Israel’s interest incountering threats from Yemen’s Houthi movement and securing influence nearvital shipping lanes. Reports from 2024 and 2025 suggested discussions onpotential Israeli military facilities in Somaliland, possibly mediated bypartners like the United Arab Emirates. These developments have heightenedfears that the recognition could facilitate broader Israeli strategicexpansion in Africa, challenging the territorial integrity of establishedstates and risking escalation in an already volatile Horn of Africa.
Concerns extend beyond sovereignty to humanitarian implications linked tothe ongoing Palestinian situation. Several statements from the jointcommuniqués have rejected any potential connection between Israel’sSomaliland policy and schemes for the forced displacement of Palestinians,particularly from Gaza. Earlier reports indicated Israel had exploredSomaliland as a relocation destination amid the Gaza conflict, promptingstrong opposition from Muslim nations. Pakistan’s participation in both theDecember 2025 and January 2026 statements underscores its unwaveringcommitment to upholding international law, supporting Somalia’s unity, andopposing actions perceived as expansionist or destabilising.
The OIC and participating countries have called on Israel to immediatelyrevoke its recognition of Somaliland and respect Somalia’s obligationsunder international law. They emphasised that unilateral recognitions ofbreakaway regions threaten global peace and security, setting precedentsthat could encourage other separatist entities worldwide. Somalia’sgovernment has mobilised diplomatic efforts, securing condemnations fromthe African Union and Arab League, which also urged dialogue to resolvedifferences while preserving national unity.
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This diplomatic standoff highlights broader tensions in Israel’s relationswith Muslim-majority nations, even as some Gulf states have normalised tiesthrough the Abraham Accords. Somaliland’s leadership welcomed the Israeliengagement, viewing it as a historic breakthrough after decades ofisolation. Yet, the overwhelming rejection by Islamic countries signalspotential isolation for the self-proclaimed republic unless broaderinternational consensus emerges.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1965837/pakistan-muslim-countries-express-strong-condemnation-of-israeli-fms-visit-to-somaliland-in-joint-statement
Tags: Pakistan, Somalia, Israel, OIC, Somaliland
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