President William Ruto was among several key regional leaders who held talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud amid growing tensions following Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.
A statement from President Mohamud's office released on Saturday, December 27, confirmed that talks had taken place between the Somali Head of State and leaders, including Ruto, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, Tanzania president Samia Suluhu, and Ismael Oguelleh of Djibouti.
Centre to talks during the calls was on bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest, including economic collaborations.
"During the call, the Presidents reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity," a statement from President Mohamud's office read.
The move comes amid tensions in the region after Israel officially recognised the independence and sovereignty of Somaliland as a state and promised to support it in agriculture and economic development, claims that have sparked reactions from Mogadishu and across the world.
On Friday, Israel, which has been war-torn for several years, caused ripples on the international front after publicly recognising the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
“I am signing the official recognition of Somaliland as an independent state and its right to self-determination. This presents a significant opportunity to expand our partnership. We intend to work with you in the economic, agricultural, and social development sectors,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a phone call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi.
Since the declaration, several bodies, including the African Union, expressed concern over Netanyahu's willingness to seek cooperation with Somaliland. Somalia initially condemned the move by Israel, terming it an attack on its sovereignty.
“Somalia reaffirms its absolute and non-negotiable commitment to its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity, as enshrined in the Provisional Constitution, the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as well as the charters of the League of Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation,” the Somalia Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement.
African Union, on its part, warned of serious security repercussions as any attempt to interfere with Somalia's sovereignty and border is against its principles, risking peace disruptions across the continent. The commission also pledged its full support for the Somali authorities in efforts to strengthen its institutions and to maintain peace and inclusive governance.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania now join several African and Middle Eastern countries in expressing support for Somalia, which has condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, Jordan, and Iraq, among others, also rejected the move, describing it as a blatant violation of international law.
Somaliland has for years maintained a representative office in Nairobi, engagements that Somalia has viewed as undermining its sovereignty.
Nairobi and Jerusalem have also enjoyed strong diplomatic relations and a long-standing alliance. Kenya’s expression of support for Somalia in opposition to Israel’s position on Somaliland could therefore create a rare point of diplomatic friction.
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