Israel's Somaliland recognition sparks mass protests

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has triggered nationwide protests in Somalia and urgent diplomatic talks, as the Somali Government warns the move threatens its territorial integrity and stability in the Horn of Africa, reports RFI. Tens of thousands of people gathered across Somalia on Tuesday to protest Israel’s decision to recognise the breakaway region of Somaliland, a move condemned by more than 20 countries as an attack on Somalia’s sovereignty. The demonstrations took place as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud travelled to Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following Israel’s announcement last week. Somalia also raised the issue at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday, warning that Israel’s recognition could pose serious regional security risks. Israel’s representative rejected the criticism, calling it a double standard and pointing to the recognition of Palestine by other states. The US said its position on Somalia remains unchanged.

Meanwhile, South Africa has joined global criticism of Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland, saying the move is a direct challenge to established African diplomatic norms and a risk to peace in the Horn of Africa, reports Business Day. Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation. The Department of International Relations & Co-Operation said its opposition to the move by Israel is anchored in long-standing continental principles, and 'upholds the African Union’s principle of uti possidetis, the sanctity of inherited borders as the continent’s essential safeguard against conflict'. 'The recognition constitutes a violation of the Federal Republic of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a direct threat to peace in the Horn of Africa. We distinguish unequivocally between decolonisation and secession. The former restores sovereignty; the latter dismantles it. Israel’s action validates fragmentation and risks a domino effect of instability. South Africa urges the international community to reject this external interference and support a united, stable Somalia. Pretoria’s response mirrored concerns expressed by a majority of the UN Security Council, where members condemned Israel’s move as at odds with international law and the UN Charter. China and the UK were among the permanent Security Council members to reject the move during an emergency meeting of the body in New York. At the emergency session, Somalia’s UN ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman described Israel’s recognition as an act of aggression that threatened to fragment Somalia and destabilise the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. South Africa’s permanent representative to the UN Mathu Joyini said during the meeting that Israel’s move sets a dangerous precedent and risks destabilising the AU’s principles.