Emphasizing Support for Somalia, China Opposes Israel's Recognition of Somaliland

JAKARTA - The Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed that its country supports the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia, opposing any attempt to divide the country located in East Africa.

"No country may encourage or support the internal separatist forces of another country for its own personal interests," ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in a regular press statement, Reuters reported from Al Arabiya (29/12).

Lin Jian also urged the authorities in Somaliland to stop "separatist activities and collusion with external forces."

Previously, Israel on Friday became the first country to recognize Somaliland, which seceded from Somalia in 1991, as a sovereign state.

Quoted from The Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar signed the pledge on behalf of Israel. Meanwhile, the President of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signed on behalf of his country, which is located in a key strategic region in the Horn of Africa, as he wished to join the Abraham Accords.

This confession was firmly rejected by Somalia which called it a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Prime Minister's Office reiterated the "absolute and unwavering commitment of the government to its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity," citing the Provisional Constitution of Somalia, the UN Charter, and the African Union Constitutive Act as its legal basis.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), of which Somalia is a member, condemned this recognition as a violation of Somalia's sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, quoted from SPA.

There were also criticisms from the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which considered Israel's rare violation a serious violation of Somalia's sovereignty and international law.

Following the developments, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on Israel's recognition of Somaliland on Monday.