The statement came after an emergency meeting of the OIC Executive Committee held in Jeddah, where member states discussed the growing political tension in the Horn of Africa.
Pakistan was represented at the meeting by its Permanent Representative, Muhammad Fawad Sher, who clearly reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He described Israel’s action as a direct challenge to Somalia’s internationally recognized borders and warned that such steps could open the door to wider instability.
In his remarks, Fawad Sher said that Israel’s long standing occupation of Palestinian land remains a core source of unrest in the Middle East.
He added that Israel now appears to be exporting the same destabilizing approach to Africa, which could have serious consequences for peace and security in the region.
He also expressed concern over reports related to Israel’s policies toward Palestinians in connection with Somaliland.
At the end of the meeting, the OIC unanimously adopted a joint communiqué condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and reaffirming full support for Somalia.
The organization stressed that any unilateral decision that ignores international law and Somalia’s unity is unacceptable.
Somaliland, a semi-arid region along the Gulf of Aden, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of President Siad Barre’s regime. Despite having its own government, parliament, currency, and security forces, it has never received formal international recognition.
Somalia continues to consider Somaliland an integral part of its territory and strongly opposes any move toward its recognition.
In December 2025, Israel announced that it would recognize Somaliland as an independent state. Somaliland’s leadership welcomed the move as a historic breakthrough.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel aims to expand cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, and technology, and invited Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, to visit Israel.
According to analysts and reports, Israel’s decision is driven by strategic and security interests. Israeli think tanks argue that Israel needs reliable partners near the Red Sea to counter the influence of Yemen’s Iran backed Houthi rebels.
Due to its location close to Yemen and major shipping routes, Somaliland is seen as a valuable strategic foothold.
Israel’s move has faced widespread criticism. Pakistan and several other countries raised objections during an emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called the decision a serious threat to national unity.
China, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the African Union, and many other states and organizations have also condemned the recognition.
Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, tensions between Israel and the Houthis have increased, especially around the Red Sea. In this context, Israel appears keen to strengthen its security presence along key maritime routes.
However, critics argue that such steps risk deepening divisions and creating new fault lines in an already fragile region.
