RIYADH: Saudi Arabia joined Arab and Islamic countries on Saturday in strongly condemning Israel’s announcement of the appointment of a diplomatic envoy to the self-declared region of Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Kingdom, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Bangladesh, Algeria, Palestine, Turkiye and Indonesia denounced the move in the “strongest terms,” describing it as a “flagrant violation” of the unity of Somalia.
The ministers reaffirmed their “complete rejection of all unilateral actions that affect the unity of states or diminish their sovereignty,” stressing their unwavering support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backing its legitimate institutions as the sole representatives of the Somali people.
They warned that such measures contravened international law, including the principles of the UN Charter and the African Union’s founding framework, and risked setting a dangerous precedent that could destabilize the Horn of Africa and undermine regional peace and security.
Israel said on Wednesday that it had appointed Michael Lotem, its roving economic ambassador to Africa, as a non-resident envoy to the region — the first such diplomatic designation to Somaliland.
Somalia condemned the move, with its foreign ministry saying that the decision represented a clear breach of international law and violated the country’s sovereignty.
Mogadishu reiterated that Somaliland remained an integral part of Somalia’s internationally recognized territory and could not be treated as a separate entity.
