Israel has staunchly defended its recent decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, despite concerns raised at the United Nations about possible motives linked to Gaza and regional security. Our correspondent reports.
Israel’s Deputy UN Ambassador Jonathan Miller told the Security Council Monday that this recognition is not a hostile move against Somalia nor does it close the door to future dialogue. “Recognition is not an act of defiance. It is an opportunity,” Miller stated firmly.
Israel became the first UN member state to officially recognize Somaliland last Friday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the formal document. This move opens the door to cooperation in agriculture, health, technology, and economic development between the two nations.
Strategically, Israel views Somaliland as a key partner in countering threats posed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have engaged in conflict with Israel during the Gaza war and have disrupted Red Sea shipping through attacks on vessels.
U.S. Deputy UN Representative Tammy Bruce likened Israel’s recognition of Somaliland to past recognitions of Palestinian statehood by other countries, criticizing what she called the Security Council’s inconsistent standards. Bruce said the Council’s “persistent double standards” distract from its mission to maintain global peace and security.
However, this recognition has faced strong opposition at the UN. Slovenia’s Ambassador Samuel Zbogar clarified that unlike Palestine, which is recognized as an observer state on illegally occupied territory, Somaliland is part of Somalia, a UN member state, making recognition contrary to the UN Charter.
The Arab League vehemently rejected Israel’s move, with Ambassador Maged Abdelfattah Abdelaziz condemning any efforts to facilitate the forced displacement of Palestinians or to use Somaliland ports for military bases.
Pakistan’s Deputy UN Ambassador Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon expressed deep concern over Israel’s recognition, referencing prior Israeli comments suggesting Somaliland could be a destination for deported Palestinians from Gaza.
Somalia’s Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, alongside Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, and others, unequivocally rejected the recognition and any attempts to relocate Gaza’s Palestinian population to Somaliland.
Representing the African Union, the observer ambassador denounced the recognition as a threat to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reaffirming the AU’s commitment to Palestinian statehood rather than “provocative steps” on African soil.
In addition, the Houthi leadership in Yemen issued a stark warning. Sayyed Abdulmalik al-Houthi declared that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be targeted militarily, underscoring their solidarity with Somalia and their opposition to Israel’s actions, which they accuse of aiming to fragment regional nations.
As tensions rise, this recognition is shaping up to be a significant flashpoint in the Horn of Africa and Middle East relations. We will continue to follow this story closely.
Reporting by Carl Montel.
