OIC prepares an emergency meeting after Saar’s visit to Somaliland

A group of Arab and Islamic countries issued a collective statement sharply condemning the visit of Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to the region of Somaliland. The document describes the visit as “illegal” and interprets it as a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, as well as an undermining of international norms and principles of the UN Charter.

The statement was made on behalf of the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The signatories specifically emphasized their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and consider the encouragement of separatist initiatives, which could increase tensions in one of Africa’s most unstable regions, as dangerous. The statement also highlights the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of states and adherence to diplomatic norms as the basis for regional and international stability.

This position was voiced on the eve of an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, scheduled for Saturday at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The topic of the meeting is to develop a common Islamic position on the issue of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence and the consequences of the Israeli Foreign Minister’s visit.

The composition of the countries that joined the statement is noteworthy. The list does not include the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, which are part of the Abraham Accords, but does include Sudan, which also figured in this process. Meanwhile, Sudan has been in a state of civil war for almost three years, and on issues related to Somalia, Somaliland, and Yemen, the interests of major regional players — primarily Saudi Arabia and the UAE — intersect.

The outcome of the meeting in Jeddah in the form of condemning Israel seems predictable, but the wording and set of practical steps may show how far the OIC is willing to go in attempting to politically and diplomatically block any contacts between Israel and Somaliland — this story is being followed by NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.