Egypt and Djibouti have joined Türkiye and Saudi Arabia in condemning what they call Israel’s “unilateral” recognition of Somaliland
Borkena
Toronto – Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent country has triggered instant reaction from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
In a brief statement the Foreign Affairs Ministries of both countries issued hours after Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, they said the recognition is “unlawful.”
For Türkiye, Israel’s action constitutes “an explicit intervention in Somalia’s internal affairs” of Somalia. It asserts that the decision should be one that reflects “the will of all Somalis.”
Five regional states have been members of the Federal of Somalia, namely Puntland (Northeast), Galmudug (Central), Hirshabelle (Central), South West State (Southwest) and Jubaland (Southwest). And Mogadishu does not have strong control over them.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 months after the fall of the Siad Barre government.
Historically, Somalia has been pursuing the “Greater Somalia region” with irredentist claims to parts of the Horn of Africa where the Somali speaking population reside. In the late 1970’s, it invaded Ethiopia up to 700 kilometers deep in the country. Ethiopia treated it as invasion but later Somalian army was defeated. It is unclear if Türkiye reference to “the will of all Somalis” is implies all Somali speaking population in Ethiopia and Kenya as well.
During colonial Africa, Somaliland was under the British colonial government. Somaliland politicians and activists argue that their country was not supposed to be part of Somalia. Historical injustice and atrocities, as Somalilanders claim, has played a role for their pursuit of an independent state.
Türkiye has been a strong supporter of Somalia’s government. It has been investing in humanitarian activity including in building and equipping a large hospital in Somalia. Also, Türkiye’s largest military base outside of the country is in Somalia clearly indicating its ambition in the Horn of Africa region. It seems to see Somalia more as its protectorate.
“Türkiye, which attaches importance to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and firmly supports Somalia’s territorial integrity, will continue to stand by the people of Somalia,” the statement from the Ministry of foreign Affairs.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the second country to react to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Its Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it said it “affirms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s full support for the sovereignty of the brotherly Federal Republic of Somalia, and for its unity and territorial integrity.”
Saudi Arabia rejected both Israel and Somaliland over the recognition. It sees it as “an action that entrenches unilateral secessionist measures that violate international law.”
Egypt, Somalia and Djibouti
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates on Friday announced that it has a phone conversation with Djibouti and Somalia.
They discussed Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region. Egypt categorically rejected the recognition. They tend to see Israel’s move as a “unilateral action.”
According to the ministry, they “reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s legitimate state institutions, and rejected any attempts to impose parallel entities that contravene the unity of the Somali state.”
Egypt has a military and political interest, among others, in Somalia. The two countries have entered into a military pact and Egypt will be sending about 10,000 troops to the country as part of the African Union peace keeping mission and on the basis of bilateral arrangement with the Federal government of Somalia.
Recently, Egypt reportedly signed a deal with Eritrea and Djibouti to develop port facilities – a move that is said to be a pressure against Ethiopia in light of disagreement over Nile water usage. Egypt seeks to maintain monopoly over the water although more that 85 percent of it originates from the Ethiopian highlands.
USA
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is restraining itself from taking a cue behind Israel’s action. It says it will “study” the situation.
U.S. diplomatic and military delegation has been to Hargeisa, Somaliland, over the past few months exploring opportunities for cooperation.
Donald Trump is “Everything is under study…We’ll study it. I study a lot of things and always make great decisions and they turn out to be correct.”
The United States primary interest in the region has been fighting terrorism. Al-Shabab forces are still operating in Somalia.
__
Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Borkena Ethiopian News Youtube Channel
To submit Press Release, send submission to info@borkena.com
Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly.
Such news of opposition should not come as a surprise when you notice who did it. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye and the masters of making citizens disappear without a trace in Beijing. My longtime homeboy Al-Toweel Isu is mums is the word with him so far. I’m sure he will come out swinging to teach us a thing or two about ‘Uni-Polar and Multi-Polar’ quantum physics.
On the hand Brother H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is doing a good job of trying to pacify and stabilize his part of Somalia. It is good news that he is planning to hold a general election in 2026. I and we should all wish him success in such blessed effort. He also seems to accept the reality that the need for secession is dead in the so-called Ogadenia and The Northern Frontiers(except with those in Minnesota). Right on, brother!!!
The opposition by others does not amount to be anything. It is just a whiff of hot air. But the one by the Turkish officials is somewhat troubling. I seriously believe that both Kenya and Ethiopia including Djibouti must press the Turkish government to explain what ‘the will of all Somalis’ means. In the process, they should remind those in Ankara the days of The Ottoman Empire were long gone once for all more than 108 years ago and since then no one would take orders from them.