NEW YORK: Somalia has strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of its northwestern region of Somaliland as independent, as well as alleged plans to forcibly transfer Palestinians to Somali territory.

Addressing the UN Security Council, Somali Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman said such measures would blatantly infringe his country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and risk entangling the Horn of Africa in the destabilizing dynamics of the Middle East conflict.

He warned that any effort to impose such political realities on the African continent would undermine core principles of international law and set a dangerous precedent.

Osman also categorically rejected any proposals for the forced displacement of Palestinians, whether within or beyond their territories, calling such actions a grave violation of international law amounting to ethnic cleansing.

“The international community must stand together against any attempt to alter the demographic composition of the Palestinian territories by force or coercion,” he said, adding that humanitarian operations in Gaza under the fragile ceasefire are under severe strain, underscoring the need for sustained international support and respect for international law.