SA slams Israel’s Somaliland recognition as threat to regional peace
Israel on Friday became the first country to recognise Somaliland
Image: FILE
By recognising Somaliland as an independent state, Israel has challenged Somalia’s authority and could trigger instability across the Horn of Africa.
So says SA's international relations and cooperation department.
Spokesman Chrispin Phiri said Pretoria was perturbed by the announcement.
"The recognition constitutes a violation of the Federal Republic of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a direct threat to peace in the Horn of Africa," Phiri said.
"We uphold the African Union’s principle of uti possidetis, the sanctity of inherited borders as the continent’s essential safeguard against conflict.
"We distinguish unequivocally between decolonisation and secession.
"The former restores sovereignty; the latter dismantles it. Israel’s action validates fragmentation and risks a domino effect of instability."
He also called on the international community to reject external interference and to back a united and stable Somalia.
Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
In a statement, he congratulated Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 during years of conflict that have left the country fragile. Though it has its own government and currency, no country had recognised it — until Friday.
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