Cairo: The Arab League Council has expressed strong disapproval of the Israeli occupation authorities' decision to recognize Somaliland's secession from Somalia. The council condemned the move as an illegal action motivated by political, security, and economic agendas that threaten regional stability and international peace.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the council's final statement was released after an extraordinary session of permanent representatives at the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo. The council, led by the United Arab Emirates, currently the president, criticized Israel's action as an attempt to facilitate the displacement of Palestinians and exploit northern Somali ports for military bases.
The council emphasized the Arab stance that regards Somaliland as an integral part of Somalia and rejected any recognition of its secession. It warned that Israel's actions could undermine international peace and security and posed a direct threat to Arab national security, necessitating legal, political, economic, and diplomatic responses.
The Arab League framed the Israeli recognition as part of a larger effort to alter the geopolitical landscape of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea along the Somali coast. The council highlighted the risk to regional and international stability, navigation freedom, and global trade routes.
Reaffirming its rejection of any displacement of Palestinians or changes to the demographic composition of Palestinian territories, the council opposed the use of Somali territory for Israeli military or intelligence activities that could destabilize the region.
The council called for enhanced collaboration with the Somali government to uphold UN resolutions on Somalia's unity and sovereignty. It urged all states and organizations to avoid engagement with Somaliland authorities outside the scope of Somali sovereignty, warning that any breach of Somalia's territorial integrity would be considered aggression against Somalia, Arab, and African nations.
Arab ambassadors in major global cities were tasked with urgent diplomatic efforts to highlight the implications of Israel's actions for regional and international peace.
The council also requested the Arab League's General Secretariat to coordinate with the Somali government, the African Union, the United Nations, and nearby Arab states to establish a joint plan to maintain the current geopolitical and security balance in the region.
Finally, the council asked Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit to formally appeal to the UN Security Council President, the UN Secretary-General, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, urging them to oppose Israel's recognition of Somaliland and report on the issue during the Arab League's next ministerial session.
