The Organization of Islamic Cooperation rejects the division of Somalia and supports Palestine
The city of Jeddah witnessed intense diplomatic activity today with the convening of the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC ). This emergency meeting was held in response to serious geopolitical developments in the Horn of Africa, specifically following Israel's recognition – as the occupying power – of the so-called "Somaliland" region as an independent state, a move the OIC deemed a flagrant violation of international law and state sovereignty.
Background of the crisis and its strategic dimensions
These developments come within a complex historical context. The region of Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence from the Federal Republic of Somalia in 1991, but has not received international or UN recognition for decades. The recent Israeli move is interpreted as an attempt to establish a foothold in the Horn of Africa , a region of paramount strategic importance due to its location overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and global trade routes, as well as its connection to Arab and African national security and the Nile Basin.
In this regard, the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Musa Kulakkaya, opened the session as chair of the meeting, emphasizing that this gathering sends a strong message of solidarity with Somalia. He stated, "We are meeting today to condemn Israel's illegitimate recognition of Israel and to reaffirm our unified stance in defense of the entire Muslim world." Kulakkaya pointed out that the region, home to more than 320 million people, faces numerous challenges, including terrorism and climate change, and cannot withstand further destabilization through dubious foreign interventions.
A unified Islamic stance against violations
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, described the Israeli move as a "dangerous precedent" and a direct threat to regional security. He stressed the need for a firm Islamic stance in support of Somalia's territorial integrity, considering Israel's actions a blatant act of aggression that defies international consensus and the principles of the UN Charter, which are based on respect for the sovereignty of states.
In the same context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, affirmed his country’s categorical rejection of any infringement on its sovereignty, explaining that “Somaliland” is an integral part of Somali territory, and that any unilateral recognition does not change the legal facts, but rather fuels tensions in the region.
Linking the Somali and Palestinian issues
The meeting did not overlook the fundamental link between the violations suffered by Somalia and those suffered by the Palestinian people, with attendees concluding that the source of instability is the same. The Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Farseen Shaheen, affirmed Palestine's solidarity with Somalia, noting that Israel's recognition of "Somaliland" is part of the occupation's approach aimed at undermining peace prospects and fragmenting the region.
The meeting also touched on the situation in Gaza, where the Turkish side stressed that strengthening the ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and reconstruction are essential and indispensable steps, paving the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, which reflects the organization’s commitment to defending the central issues of the nation at the same time.
