Somalia's ambassador to China slams Israeli recognition of Somaliland

Somalia firmly rejects Israel's unilateral recognition of Somaliland on the basis that the country's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, and its future can only be decided by its own people through lawful and peaceful means, not by any external action.

The remarks were made by Somalia's Ambassador to China, Hodan Osman Abdi, at a press conference held at the country's embassy in Beijing on Wednesday, that followed Israel's Dec 26 announcement recognizing Somaliland as an independent sovereign state.

Abdi said the Somali government considers Israel's move a serious violation of international law, devoid of any legal validity, and a blatant infringement of Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. The action, she added, challenges fundamental norms universally recognized by the international community.

The ambassador insisted that Somalia is a unified sovereign state, with internationally recognized borders established at the time of its independence in 1960 and clearly protected under international law. Somaliland, she said, is an inseparable, inalienable and undeniable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

"No external actor has the right, under any pretext or in any form, to redraw or alter Somalia's internationally recognized borders," Abdi said.

She added that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made it clear that Israel's action constitutes a grave violation of Somalia's legitimate rights as a sovereign state, and has called on all Somali people to jointly safeguard the country's fundamental national interests.

She noted that Somalia's cabinet and federal parliament have both declared Israel's "recognition" illegal, null and void, and lacking any political or legal effect.

Across Somalia, members of the public have taken part in peaceful rallies and demonstrations to oppose separatist actions and foreign interference, highlighting the fact that national unity and territorial integrity represent a red line that cannot be crossed, she added.

Somalia is currently at a critical stage of national reconstruction and democratic transition, Abdi said, warning that any attempt to divide the country at this juncture would undermine hard-won achievements and pose risks to regional stability.

Regional organizations such as the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council, along with many countries in the region, have strongly condemned Israel's move.

The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Monday, during which the overwhelming majority of council members opposed Israel's action.

Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said China firmly opposed Israel's recognition of Somaliland, urging it to immediately reverse course as soon as possible if the negative impact is to be alleviated.