BEIJING: China opposes any attempt to split territories in Somalia, the foreign ministry in Beijing said on Monday, three days after Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.
“No country should encourage or support other countries’ internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests,” ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters at a regular press conference.
He urged authorities in Somaliland to stop “separatist activities and collusion with external forces”.
Somaliland has enjoyed effective autonomy - and relative peace and stability - since 1991 when Somalia descended into civil war, but the breakaway region has failed to receive recognition from any other country.