Israel’s Somaliland recognition negates peace, says South Africa

SOUTH Africa’s ambassador to the United Nations, Mathu Joyini, has accused Israel of negating peace with its decision to officially recognise Somaliland.

Speaking at an emergency session of the UN Security Council in New York on Monday, Joyini highlighted the contrast between Israel’s stance and international consensus.

“It is ironic and cynical that Israel wishes to be the only state to recognise Somaliland, while at the same time rejecting recognition of the State of Palestine, which the overwhelming majority of UN member states have recognised as being legal in terms of international law,” she told the council.

The meeting was convened at Somalia’s request following Israel’s announcement on December 26, that it had become the first UN member state to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent sovereign nation.

Somaliland, a breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, has functioned autonomously since 1991 but lacks recognition from any other country. It is a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden that makes it an attractive trade and military partner for regional and international allies.

Joyini further argued that Israel’s actions undermined global norms. “Their actions that negate peace, such as the actions of the State of Israel therefore warrant condemnation.”

Large protests broke out in several towns and cities across Somalia in opposition to Israel's recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Somali capital Mogadishu and gathered at a stadium, waving placards with anti-Israeli slogans alongside Somali and Palestinian flags.

"We will never allow anyone to violate our sovereignty," one attendee, Adan Muhidin, told AFP, adding that Israel's move was "a blatant violation of international law".

Demonstrations also took place in Lascanod in the northeast, Guriceel in central Somalia, and Baidoa in the southwest.

In a separate statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, said: “The recognition constitutes a violation of the Federal Republic of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a direct threat to peace in the Horn of Africa.

“Israel’s action validates fragmentation and risks a domino effect of instability.”

Cape Times