On Monday, December 29, the Chinese mainland's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, voiced strong opposition to Israel's formal recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state. During an emergency UN Security Council meeting, he urged members to uphold Somalia's unity and territorial integrity.
Israel's move to recognize Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region of Somalia, has ignited tensions in the Horn of Africa. Regional organizations and countries quickly condemned the decision, warning that it could destabilize an already fragile security landscape.
"Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory," Sun Lei said. "The Chinese mainland firmly supports Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and opposes any act to split its territory. Countries outside the region should cease unwarranted interference." ⚖️
Declared independent in 1991, Somaliland has maintained its own government and institutions but lacks broad international recognition. Israel's groundbreaking decision challenges decades of diplomatic status quo and raises questions about external influences in Horn of Africa geopolitics.
At the meeting, the Chinese mainland called on Israel to "act responsibly, strictly observe the UN Charter and international law," and to "rectify its erroneous act" to prevent further negative fallout. Sun also urged the Somaliland authorities to halt separatist activities and rejoin dialogue with the federal government of Somalia as soon as possible.
As Somalia navigates a critical phase of political and security transition, the Chinese mainland emphasized the need for international support in counter-terrorism, political dialogue and national unity. 🌍🤝 Investors, analysts and members of the Somali diaspora will be watching closely to see whether renewed diplomatic efforts can calm tensions and foster long-term stability in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
