This came in a speech by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty at the African Peace and Security Council session, which was held virtually at Egypt’s request, to support the unity, sovereignty and integrity of Somalia, according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
On December 26, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced its recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland, amid Egyptian, Arab and international rejection. Today’s session coincides with a visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to the same region.
The Egyptian minister pointed out that “Israel’s unilateral and illegal recognition of the so-called Somaliland region represents a flagrant violation of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines the rules of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.”
He stressed that this Israeli recognition is "a dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international peace and security, which requires a unified stance to support Somalia and concerted efforts to achieve security and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region."
Abdel-Aati stressed that “it is not permissible to remain silent regarding unilateral actions that threaten the stability of the continent and aim to impose new political realities outside any legal framework.” He also stressed “Egypt’s full support for the inviolable unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, as a fundamental pillar for the stability of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.”
Abdel-Aati considered that “Israeli recognition contributes to fueling conflicts and insecurity in the region,” holding Israel “fully responsible for the repercussions of this illegitimate decision.”
Egypt led intensive diplomatic efforts to coordinate a unified international position, culminating in a cross-regional statement issued by 23 countries and two international organizations last December, rejecting that recognition, according to Abdel-Aati.
The minister explained that the cross-regional statement “affirmed the categorical rejection of any attempts to link this illegal measure to any plans aimed at the forced displacement of the Palestinian people outside their land,” adding that “these plans are categorically rejected, and contradict the rules of international law and represent a direct threat to regional and international peace and security.”
Israel has repeatedly tried to push for the displacement of Palestinian citizens from Gaza, but Arab, Islamic and Western countries reject this move and warn against liquidating the Palestinian cause.
Recently, the Somali ambassador to Cairo and its representative to the Arab League, Ali Abdi Awari, stated that his country "will not be a party to any attempt to displace our Palestinian brothers from their land," in reference to the existence of a plan to displace Palestinians to "Somaliland."
In a related context, Abdel-Aati affirmed in his speech his country's "firm commitment to supporting the security and stability of Somalia, based on its conviction that the stability of Somalia is an integral part of the security of the Horn of Africa and the safety of navigation in the Red Sea."
He added: “While Egypt continues to make strenuous efforts to stabilize the northern regions of the
Red Sea, protect international navigation and prevent regional escalation, other parties are pursuing policies that would destabilize the southern regions of the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, by promoting disintegration and disregarding the sovereignty of the countries of the region,” without naming those parties.
Abdel-Aty affirmed that “Egypt will continue its decisive action to support peace, security and stability in the African continent, including through the Suez and Red Sea Maritime Economic and Development Initiative (StREAM) launched by Egypt to support security, stability and development in this vital corridor.”
In concluding his speech, the Egyptian minister called on the Peace and Security Council to adopt a strong and unified position to condemn the recognition of what is called Somaliland, and for all member states of the African Union to categorically reject any measures resulting from this Israeli recognition
