The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, calling the move illegal and a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
The condemnation came after an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Executive Committee in Jeddah, where member states discussed the situation in Somalia and Israel’s unilateral announcement.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the OIC, Ambassador Mohammad Fawad Sher, reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said Israel’s decision amounted to a direct challenge to Somalia’s internationally recognised borders and could undermine peace and stability in the region.
Sher also expressed concern over reports linking Israel’s Somaliland policy to plans involving the relocation of Palestinians, describing such proposals as deeply troubling.
He said Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory remained a core source of instability in the Middle East and warned that Israel was now extending this destabilising approach to Africa.
The meeting adopted a joint communiqué expressing full support for Somalia and condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Somaliland, a semi-arid region along the Gulf of Aden, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the regime of former president Siad Barre.
While it has its own administration, parliament, currency and security forces, it has not received international recognition. Somalia continues to consider Somaliland an integral part of its territory.
Israel announced in December 2025 that it would recognise Somaliland as an independent state, a move welcomed by Somaliland’s leadership as a historic step.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel aims to expand cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health and technology and has invited Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to visit Israel.
Analysts say the decision is driven by strategic considerations linked to the Red Sea.
Israeli think tanks argue that Israel is seeking regional partners to counter the influence of Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, particularly after tensions escalated following the Gaza war in October 2023.
Pakistan and several other countries raised objections to Israel’s decision during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described the move as a serious threat to national unity, while China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and the African Union have also condemned the decision.
