Kuwait city: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Al-Budaiwi, has strongly denounced the recognition by Israeli occupation authorities of Somaliland, a region in northern Somalia, as an independent state. "This move constitutes a serious infringement on the principles of international law and blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia," Al-Budaiwi stated in a press release.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Budaiwi emphasized that this recognition represents a significant precedent that could endanger the security and stability of the Horn of Africa region. He warned that it could lead to increased tensions and conflicts, undermining efforts at both regional and international levels to stabilize the area.
Al-Budaiwi recalled the final communique of the 164th session of the GCC Ministerial Council, reaffirming that GCC member countries support the Federal Republic of Somalia. The GCC stands by Somalia in any measures it might take to safeguard its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to ensure the well-being of its citizens.
He called on the international community to reject the Israeli occupation's action, which he described as tampering with international legitimacy and seeking to create a political fait accompli that contradicts global consensus and United Nations resolutions.
The GCC chief further cautioned that recognizing parallel entities could lead to further instability and threaten the security and national unity of a United Nations member state. Earlier in the day, Israeli occupation government Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the recognition of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, with plans to expand cooperation with the Somali region in various fields.