Somalia on Monday accused Israel of undermining stability in the Horn of Africa by recognising the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation.
Abukar Osman, Somalia’s ambassador to the UN, told the Security Council that the “act of aggression” was aimed at encouraging fragmentation of his country.
“No external actor has the legitimacy or authority to alter the unity, the sovereignty or territorial configuration of Somalia or any other sovereign state,” he said.
Mr Osman urged UN members to “firmly reject and condemn” the move, which last week made Israel the first country in more than three decades to recognise Somaliland’s independence.
Israel, however, defended its move, saying it has no intention of undermining Somalia.
“It is not a hostile step toward Somalia, nor does it preclude future dialogue between the parties. Recognition is not an act of defiance. It is an opportunity,” Israel’s deputy UN ambassador Jonathan Miller told the council.
Several countries questioned whether the decision was tied to plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza or establish Israeli military basing in the region.
Israel last week became the first nation in more than three decades to formally recognize Somaliland, prompting swift condemnation from the African Union, Gulf states and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Israel’s recognition gives it a potential strategic foothold opposite Yemen, where Houthi militants have traded fire with Israel during the Gaza war and continue attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes, threatening one of the world’s most critical maritime arteries.
Somaliland declared independence in 1991 as Somalia collapsed into civil war but has never gained international recognition.
It operates a separate government, currency and security forces, and has enjoyed relative stability compared with Somalia, where Al-Shabaab militants continue attacks, particularly in Mogadishu.
At the emergency Security Council session, the US strongly defended Israel’s decision, accusing the council of “persistent double standards” over diplomatic recognitions.
“Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state,” US deputy ambassador Tammy Bruce said.
“Earlier this year, several countries, including members of this council, made the unilateral decision to recognise a non-existing state, and yet no emergency meeting was called to express this so-called outrage.”
Slovenia’s UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar challenged Ms Bruce's comparison.
“Palestine is not part of any state. It is illegally occupied territory … Palestine is also an observer state in this organisation,” Mr Zbogar said. “Somaliland, on the other hand, is part of a UN member state and recognising it goes against … the UN Charter.”
However, Ms Bruce emphasised that Washington continues to support Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying there has been “no change” to US policy and “no announcement to make regarding recognition of Somaliland".
Britain's deputy ambassador James Kariuki reaffirmed his country's support for "the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia."
