.png?locale=en)
Alsharq Tribune- Sarah Benkraouda
Arab and Islamic positions continued to express a firm rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, reaffirming Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.
This wave of coordinated diplomacy coincides with heightened engagement within international and UN-affiliated bodies, raising questions about the extent to which such positions can effectively constrain Israel’s recent moves, most notably the visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to the self-declared breakaway region.
On Friday, Arab and Islamic states issued strong condemnations of what they described as Saar’s illegal visit to Somaliland earlier in the week, saying it constituted a blatant violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermined established international norms and the UN Charter.
The condemnation came in a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, the Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye and Yemen, along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The ministers reiterated their unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejected any encouragement of separatist agendas, warning that such moves risk exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region.
They stressed that respect for international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, and adherence to diplomatic norms are essential pillars of regional and international stability.
The statement came on the eve of an emergency ministerial meeting of the OIC on Saturday at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah, aimed at forging a unified Islamic position in response to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Analysts told Asharq Al-Awsat that coordinated collective action could “tighten the noose” around Israel’s recent steps in the breakaway region, discouraging other countries from following Israel’s lead and seeking to isolate Israel internationally.
Such pressure, they said, could also create space for possible measures by the Somali government or open the door to intra-Somali dialogue.
Since Israel announced its recognition of Somaliland on Dec. 26, Egypt, Türkiye, Djibouti and Somalia have acted collectively, issuing a joint statement condemning the move and rejecting any unilateral measures that undermine Somali sovereignty or promote parallel entities that threaten the unity of the Somali state.
The following day, 21 Arab and Islamic countries, together with the OIC, warned that recognizing the independence of parts of sovereign states sets a dangerous precedent and threatens international peace and security.
Egyptian diplomat Salah Halima said the unified Arab and Islamic positions are active and effective, aligning with stances taken by the Arab League, the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations.
He noted that while the United States has expressed support for Somalia’s unity, its position on Israel’s step remains ambiguous, raising concerns about the possibility of further recognitions.
Former Egyptian assistant foreign minister for African affairs Mona Omar noted that Israel has a record of disregarding international appeals and resolutions, but broad collective opposition deepens its isolation and complicates efforts to advance its plans in Somaliland.
She added that stronger US backing for Somalia’s unity would leave Israel facing genuine isolation in the region, even if it does not ultimately reverse its recognition.
African affairs expert Rami Zahdi stressed that unified positions can have tangible impact if embedded in a comprehensive strategy to counter Israeli moves, protect stability in the Horn of Africa, and prevent the fragmentation of national states.
He described the explicit demand for Israel to withdraw its recognition as a form of measured, escalatory diplomacy that moves beyond symbolic condemnation toward organized political and legal pressure.
