Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, strongly condemned the Israeli move to recognise the “Somaliland” region as an independent state, which was announced by the Israeli Prime Minister on 26 December.
The Secretary-General affirmed the League of Arab States' categorical rejection of this move, considering it a clear violation of the rules of international law and a flagrant infringement of the principle of the unity and sovereignty of states, which constitutes a fundamental pillar of the Charter of the United Nations and of international relations.
Mr. Aboul Gheit stressed that such a step, taken by an occupying power that commits grave violations against the Palestinian people and neighbouring Palestinian territories on a daily basis and disregards resolutions of international legitimacy, amounts to an Israeli assault on the sovereignty of an Arab and African state. He noted that it reflects an attempt to cooperate with third parties to undermine regional stability, in complete disregard of the legal rules governing the recognition of states under international law.
Gamal Roshdy, the official spokesperson for the Secretary-General, affirmed that the Council of the League of Arab States, at the summit level as well as at ministerial levels, considers the Somaliland region to be an integral part of the internationally recognised sovereign Federal Republic of Somalia. He stressed that any attempt to impose unilateral recognitions constitutes an unacceptable interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international security and stability.
