The overwhelming majority of the United Nations Security Council members, except the United States, have condemned Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
This emerged during an emergency meeting of the council, which was requested by Somalia, just days after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the controversial decision.
Despite declaring independence in 1991 after a prolonged civil war, Somaliland has not been acknowledged by any other country, until Israel’s formal recognition.
Member states were angered by comments made by Israeli Deputy Permanent Representative Jonathan Miller, who sought to justify the recognition, by insinuating that part of the reasons was also to safe inhabitants from the genocide committed by Somalia.
“Entire cities were destroyed.
Civilians were deliberately targeted.
These crimes are now widely recognized as a genocide,” said Miller.
This however irked Somalia’s UN Ambassador, Abukar Dahir Osman, who called on members to reject Israel’s decision, describing it as an act of aggression.
Osman also accused Israel of hypocrisy as it continues to commit genocide in Palestine.
“If we want to talk about genocide, it’s Israel that’s committing in our own eyes every day.
He represents a government that killed more than 70 000 people.
Civilians, including children, women, elderly, doctors and other health workers, and patients in hospitals.
Destroying infrastructures, deliberately starving people of Gaza.
To come before us, and accuse Somalia of committing genocide, is just ridiculous, unbelievable, and it’s just an insult,” remarked Osman.
Other members also rejected Israel’s recognition, and echoed Osman’s comments that Israel wants to deport Palestinians to Somaliland.
“Any actions that advocate or imply displacement or resettlement not only violate international law but also undermine the prospect of a just and lasting peace.
We reaffirm our steadfast support for the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for self-determination,” said Pakistan’s Deputy UN Ambassador Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon.
The 22-member Arab League, a regional organisation of Arab states in the Middle East and parts of Africa, also rejected Israel’s announcement.
“We reject any measures arising from this illegitimate recognition aimed at facilitating forced displacement of the Palestinian people, or exploiting northern Somali ports to establish military bases,” stressed the league’s UN Ambassador, Maged Abdelfattah Abdelaziz.
South Africa’s Ambassador, Mathu Joyini, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty and regional stability.
“The actions of the state of Israel, must be condemned as a violation of a UN Charter and International law.
It is ironic and cynical that Israel wishes to be the only state to recognise Somaliland, while at the same time rejecting the recognition of the State of Palestine, which the overwhelming majority of UN member states have recognised as being legal in terms of international law,” said Joyini.
Fourteen of the 15 member states condemned Israel’s move, except the United States.
