A group of 21 Arab, African and Islamic nations on Dec. 27 issued a joint statement formally rejecting Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. The statement asserted that recognizing Somaliland as a nation independent of Somalia constitutes a grave violation of international law, emphasizing the "serious repercussions of such unprecedented measure on peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and its serious effects on international peace and security as a whole." The statement also rejected any potential link between the recognition and "any attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land."

This statement followed a joint declaration signed one day earlier by Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, making Israel the first country on earth to recognize Somaliland. As part of the deal, Somaliland is expected to recognize Israel under the Abraham Accords. US President Donald Trump brokered the Abraham Accords in his first term, seeking to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab nations.

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in May 1991 after a period of conflict unleashed by the fall of the long-ruling Siad Barre dictatorship. Despite having its own government and currency, Somaliland had not been formally recognized by any nation as an independent country until Israel did so on Friday. According to analysts from the Council on Foreign Relations, Somaliland's claim to independence stems in part from being a "relatively stable democracy" that "is attracting major foreign investors." In contrast, Somalia, despite having an internationally recognized government, "hasn't been a functioning country in decades."

Other countries around the globe have also expressed their disapproval of Israel's recognition of Somaliland. Notably, despite the Trump administration's failed proposition earlier this year for Somaliland to take in Palestinians from Gaza, the US State Department announced Dec. 27 that Washington will continue to recognize the territorial integrity of Somalia, "which includes the territory of Somaliland."

The EU also issued a statement emphasizing its disapproval of Israel's recognition of Somaliland, saying that it threatens peace and security in the African region. The statement concluded with a call for Somalia's government to resolve the long-standing dispute with Somaliland.

From JURIST, Dec. 28. Used with permission.

See our last report on the contradictions of the Abraham Accords.