At OIC moot, Pakistan rejects Israel's recognition of 'Somaliland', warns of consequences

• OIC meeting held after Israel's announcement to recognise "Somaliland".
• Decision sets dangerous precedent under international law: secy general.
• Organisation warns against cooperation in Palestinian displacement schemes.
  

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has warned that Israel's recent actions of recognising the so-called "Somaliland" could have serious and far-reaching consequences for regional peace and stability.

Addressing the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held on Saturday at the headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah, Dar said that Pakistan will not allow any steps that could harm Somalia's development and stability.

The session was held in response to Tel Aviv becoming the first country to officially recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.

"We identify this development as a direct assault on Somalia’s internationally recognised borders, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law," the deputy prime minister said.

He said that the principle of state sovereignty and territorial integrity constitutes a peremptory norm of international law from which no deviation or derogation is permitted.

Speaking on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Dar stressed the urgent need for sustained efforts to bring an end to the war and to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to the affected civilian population.

Rejecting any scheme to displace the Palestinians from their land, he said that any form of forced displacement is a clear violation of international law. He reiterated Pakistan’s firm support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, stating that Islamabad stands resolutely with the Palestinians in their just struggle.

The deputy prime minister also spoke on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIJOK), saying that the conflict remains the primary source of conflict in South Asia and a nuclear flash point.

"There is an urgent need for renewed and concerted efforts under the UN auspices to secure a just, lasting, and peaceful resolution of the dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people."

Addressing the opening session, OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha said the meeting was taking place at an extremely delicate and sensitive time. He said that Israel's recognition of the so-called "Somaliland" region constitutes a dangerous precedent, a flagrant violation of international law, and a direct threat to regional security and stability in the Horn of Africa.

In its strongly worded resolution, the OIC affirmed its full and unwavering support for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and expressed strong solidarity with the Somali government and people.

The organisation reiterated its absolute rejection of any actions or measures that could undermine Somalia's unity, territorial integrity, or sovereignty over its entire territory.

The OIC stressed that Israel's action constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the fundamental principle of respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It warned that the move poses a direct threat to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, with potentially dangerous implications for regional and international peace.

Reaffirming its long-standing position, the OIC emphasised that the so-called "Somaliland" is an integral and inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and does not possess any independent international legal status.

The resolution read that any attempt to separate or recognise "Somaliland" represents blatant interference in Somalia's internal affairs and a direct affront to its unity and sovereignty.

The organisation also strongly condemned what it described as an illegal visit carried out on January 6, 2026, by an Israeli official to Somaliland, asserting that the visit constituted a serious violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Additionally, the OIC categorically rejected any illegal foreign military, security, or intelligence presence on Somali territory, particularly any Israeli presence.

It stressed that attempts to establish military bases, security arrangements, strategic investments, or any foreign presence without the approval of Somalia's legitimate federal government are an assault on national sovereignty and a "red line that cannot be crossed."

The OIC called on its member states, as well as international and regional organisations, to refrain from any form of official or quasi-official engagement with "Somaliland" authorities outside the framework of Somalia's national sovereignty.

In another resolution, the organisation also warned against any cooperation with Israeli schemes to forcibly displace the Palestinian people, stating that such cooperation would amount to complicity in crimes and serious violations of international and humanitarian law.

The OIC categorically rejected any scheme and attempts to displace Palestinians from their land, including in Gaza.

The organisation urged its secretary general to engage the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, and the UN secretary general to highlight the gravity of Israel's actions and called on the international community, particularly permanent members of the UNSC, to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities to protect international peace and security in the Horn of Africa.