Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, alongside senior diplomats from several Arab and Islamic countries, has condemned Somaliland’s decision to open what they described as a “purported embassy” in Jerusalem, saying the move violates international law and risks undermining efforts to preserve the city’s status.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, the ministers described Somaliland’s planned diplomatic mission in Jerusalem as an “illegal and unacceptable step” and warned that such actions could weaken the position of East Jerusalem, which Palestinians seek as the capital of a future state.
The statement was signed by officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Djibouti, Somalia, Oman, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, Mauritania and the Palestinian Authority. Other countries and organisations also expressed support in separate remarks issued after the meeting.
The condemnation follows recent announcements by Somaliland and Israel that they would establish diplomatic relations after Israel recognised Somaliland as an independent state in late 2025. Somaliland’s ambassador to Israel, Mohamed Omar Hagi Mohamoud, later confirmed plans to open a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the development, saying Israel would also open an embassy in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital.
Arab and Islamic countries rejected the plan, linking it to broader concerns over the status of Jerusalem, which remains central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Most countries do not recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and instead maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv.
In their statement, the ministers said they “condemn the illegal and unacceptable step represented in the opening of a purported embassy of Somaliland in the occupied city of Jerusalem.” They also described the move as “a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.”
The officials further reaffirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that Somaliland remains internationally recognised as part of Somalia despite operating as a self-declared independent region since 1991.
Somalia has strongly opposed growing ties between Somaliland and Israel, arguing that any foreign agreements made by Somaliland are not legally valid without approval from the federal government in Mogadishu.
The latest dispute adds to rising tensions in recent months over Somaliland’s diplomatic outreach and efforts to secure international recognition. Although Somaliland has maintained its own government, security institutions and elections for more than three decades, no United Nations member state had formally recognised it until Israel’s announcement last year.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also criticised the embassy plan in a separate statement earlier, accusing Israel of attempting to strengthen its claim over Jerusalem through relations with what it called “unrecognised entities.”
The organisation said the proposed mission in Jerusalem would have political consequences beyond Somaliland and Israel, given the disputed status of the city under international law.
Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive issues in Middle East diplomacy. Israel considers the city its capital, while Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The international community has largely maintained that the city’s final status should be resolved through negotiations.
The joint Arab and Islamic statement did not indicate whether further diplomatic measures would be taken against Somaliland, but officials stressed that the move had been collectively rejected by all participating countries.
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