Pakistan Slams Israel’s ‘Unlawful’ Somaliland Recognition at UN

Pakistan has issued a strong condemnation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding Israel’s “unilateral and unlawful” recognition of the “Somaliland” region in Somalia, a move that has also been denounced by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and various other nations.

During the UNSC briefing on Monday, Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, stated, “It is a direct assault on Somalia’s internationally recognised borders.”

He stated that the action taken by Tel Aviv “constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.”

On Friday, Israel became the first country to officially acknowledge the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. This resolution might transform regional dynamics and challenge Somalia’s enduring resistance to secession.

The Israeli announcement elicited a strong reaction from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, which condemned it as a breach of international standards and reiterated Islamabad’s total backing for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, the OIC and other nations condemned Israel’s acknowledgment of Somaliland, characterizing it as a danger to global peace and security.

Among the nations that declined to acknowledge Somaliland’s independence are China and the United Kingdom (UK).

“The ‘Somaliland’ region remains an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part of Somalia. No external actor has either the legal standing or the moral authority to alter that fundamental reality,” the envoy stated.

“A group of OIC countries, including Pakistan, has unequivocally rejected Israel’s unlawful move, noting its serious repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and international peace and security as a whole. The joint statement terms the ‘recognition of parts of States’ a violation of the cardinal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter,” Jadoon continued.

The ambassador commended the Somalian government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, for its advancements in national reconciliation, constitutional reforms, and revitalization of state institutions.

“Similarly, the phased two-year transition of the United Nations presence in Somalia is progressing smoothly. The handover of responsibilities under the first phase of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) has been completed, and the roadmap for the second and final phase has been finalised, with the Mission scheduled to cease operations on October 31, 2026.”

Islamabad recognized the sacrifices and resilience of the Somali people and their security forces in the fight against terrorism, with support from AU-UN missions.

Pakistan called for the safeguarding and strengthening of positive momentum, warning against actions that could jeopardize national unity and undo difficult achievements.

“Therefore, at this pivotal juncture, when Somalia is focused on defeating extremism, any action that diverts attention, weakens cohesion, or fuels division is profoundly irresponsible.”

Jadoon stated that Israel’s unlawful recognition of Somaliland is deeply troubling, especially in light of its previous mentions of the region as a destination for the deportation of Palestinians, particularly from Gaza.

“For decades, Israel’s dispossession and occupation of Palestinian land have been a central source of instability and conflict in the Middle East,” the envoy added.

“It is now exporting this destabilising conduct to the Horn of Africa, with serious implications for regional peace and security,” he said.

To conclude, Pakistan urged the Security Council and the wider international community to present a united front and dismiss any actions that jeopardize Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.