Somalia Says Israeli Recognition Of Somaliland Breaches International Law

ISTANBUL, Dec 28 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The recognition of the Somaliland region by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is against international law, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Saturday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

"The illegal aggression of PM Netanyahu in recognising a part of Somalia's Northern region is against international law," Mohamud wrote on the US social media platform X.

"Meddling with Somalia's internal affairs is contrary to established legal & diplomatic rules. Somalia & its people are one: inseparable by division from afar," he added.

Israel became the world's first country on Friday to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, drawing condemnation from Turkey and countries in Africa and the Middle East, among others.

Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity, with the central government unable to assert control over the region and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.

The Somali government refuses to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, considers it an integral part of its territory, and views any direct deals or engagement with it as a violation of the country's sovereignty and unity.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU