NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called an emergency meeting to discuss the recent action of Israel to recognize Somaliland, a region that claims independence from Somalia. The meeting, which will take place today, Monday, is going to address the situation and the consequences of the Israeli act on the regional order and on the rights of Somalia.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would officially acknowledge Somaliland, a territory that protested against being part of Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally. The Prime Minister characterized the move as one supported by the Abraham Accords, and he expressed not only the future cooperation between the two countries in the areas of agriculture, economy, and social development, but also the department of the issue.
The proclaims have gotten the nations in the region to react quite vehemently, many have accused Israel of stripping the territories from Somalia and trampling on their rights and the EU also joined the chorus with a statement that called the action of Israel ‘immoral’ and demanded to respect Somalia’s unity and sovereignty and to hold serious discussions between the parties involved.
For many years, Somaliland has been lobbying for international recognition, but the world continues to ignore it or to include it in the “no recognition” list along with the United Nations. Israel appears to be the first and only UN member state that has officially recognized Somaliland’s independence.
The Somali administration has reacted to the announcement of Israel with utmost indignation, calling it an “attack” on Somalia’s sovereignty. In the meantime, 21 countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have come together to produce a joint declaration that not only dismisses but also warns that the Israeli act could cause a huge mess in the area and that it is indeed a danger to regional peace and security.
Today’s Security Council emergency session is going to be concentrated on the recognition’s possible ramifications and its influence on the stability of the area. The international repercussions of Israel’s recognition are likely to increase diplomatic strains in the Horn of Africa.
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