The foreign ministers of Somalia, Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti expressed their strong disagreement on Monday with Israel's decision to recognize the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, Reuters reported, BTA reports.
A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that during a telephone conversation between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelati and his counterparts from the three countries, the "rejection and condemnation" of the Israeli recognition was confirmed. The ministers stressed their full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
At the same time, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi described Israel's decision as a "historic moment". He welcomed the recognition announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the self-proclaimed republic, which has not been recognized by any other country, notes Agence France-Presse.
“This stage marks the beginning of a strategic partnership that will promote mutual interests, strengthen regional peace and security and bring benefits to all parties“, Abdullahi wrote on the social network “Ex“.
The Republic of Somaliland, with an area of about 175,000 square kilometers - roughly the size of England - is located in the northwestern part of Somalia. The region unilaterally declared independence in 1991 and has since operated separately, with its own currency, army and police. Compared to Somalia, which is affected by the Islamist insurgency of the group “Al-Shabab“ and prolonged political crises, Somaliland is characterized by relative stability, AFP points out.