China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during a Sunday phone call with his Somali Counterpart, according to Reuters.
During his Africa tour, Wang spoke with his Somali counterpart by phone, underscoring China’s opposition to Somaliland’s ‘collusion with Taiwan authorities to seek independence.’
China’s New Year tour of Africa, covering Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho, was set to include Somalia, but the visit was postponed after Beijing’s embassy announced a ‘schedule change.’
Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland
In December, Israel formally recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state, marking the first nation to sign a joint declaration with Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
In response, Beijing announced its opposition to any attempts to divide territories in Somalia, stressing Chinese support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the East African country.
It said that no state has the right to support or urge other countries’ internal separatist forces to gain “selfish interests” for itself.
The Foreign Ministry also called on authorities in Somaliland to put an end to their “separatist activities and collusion with external forces”.
Somaliland
Somaliland became part of the Somali Republic in 1960, but then broke away in 1991, declaring independence and establishing a de facto state.
Despite having informal diplomatic ties with multiple nations, Somaliland’s sovereignty had never been recognized by any permanent UN member state until Friday, December 26.
The announcement drew strong condemnations and sparked several concerns regionally and internationally.
Somalia’s government, backed by the African Union, has reacted angrily after the recognition, while Mogadishu labeled it as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty.
Egypt, Turkey, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation all denounced the move.
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