DPM Dar terms Israel’s Somaliland move a threat to regional peace

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Sunday condemned Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region as an independent state, calling it an illegal act of political aggression and a direct assault on Somalia’s internationally recognized borders.

Addressing the 22nd extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Dar said Israel’s move, along with the subsequent “unwarranted and highly provocative” visit of its official to Somaliland, set a dangerous precedent and posed a serious threat to peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region and beyond.

The extraordinary session adopted two resolutions — one rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and reaffirming support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the other addressing Israel’s continued actions against the Palestinian people.

Dar rejected any proposal aimed at dislocation of Palestinians and reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled commitment to an independent, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

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He also appreciated the OIC’s consistent support for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and urged the organization to intensify efforts towards the realization of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

According to an OIC statement, the resolution on Somaliland termed Israel’s recognition a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace and stability, while reiterating the bloc’s firm support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha, in his address, said the extraordinary session was convened at a “very delicate and sensitive time” to discuss developments affecting Somalia’s sovereignty.

He said the meeting reflected the shared concern of member states and the need for a unified Islamic position in line with the OIC Charter, international law, and relevant United Nations resolutions.

Taha noted that the session followed an earlier extraordinary meeting of the OIC Executive Committee held on January 1, underscoring the urgency of the matter.

On the situation in Palestine, the council adopted a second resolution calling for Israel, as the occupying power, to move to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. The secretary general stressed the need for a comprehensive and permanent cessation of hostilities, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, prevention of the displacement of Palestinians, and facilitation of the return of displaced persons to their homes.

On the sidelines of the session, Dar held meetings with his counterparts from several OIC member states and with the OIC secretary general. Earlier in the day, he also inaugurated the new chancery building of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah.

The convening of the extraordinary session was described as a strong demonstration of the collective resolve of OIC member states, sending a clear message to the international community on the urgency of upholding the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity.