Somalia (Monitoring Desk): Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling his recent actions a direct and open attack on Somalia’s sovereignty.
Addressing a special session of the Somali Parliament on Sunday, President Mohamud stated that Netanyahu has committed a serious and historic violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
He said Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland is against Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, stressing that Somaliland is an inseparable and integral part of Somalia and that no such move would be accepted.
The president warned that Israel’s decision could encourage separatist movements at the international level, posing a threat to peace and stability in the region. However, he expressed confidence that the unity and national solidarity of the Somali people would defeat such attempts.
During his address, President Mohamud also took a firm stance on the Palestinian issue. He said Somalia rejects any attempt to displace the Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip, calling such efforts a conspiracy to undermine the two-state solution.
He further emphasized that Somalia would not allow the Middle East conflict to be transferred onto its soil. He made it clear that no foreign military base would be permitted in Somalia to launch operations against any other country.
Appealing to the Somali people to maintain peace, patience and unity, the president said national unity would be strengthened through dialogue with Somaliland. He added that Somalia would pursue all diplomatic and legal avenues to defend its land and sovereignty.
The statement comes as last week 21 countries, including members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, rejected Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland in a joint declaration.
