OIC Foreign Ministers Stress Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty, Palestinian Statehood
The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has reaffirmed support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
The OIC Foreign Ministers Council held its 22nd extraordinary session in Jeddah on Saturday, January 10, 2026 to discuss Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, and Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people.
Saudi Arabia’s Position
The Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, represented the Kingdom in the session, on behalf of the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
In his speech, Al-Khuraiji reiterated Saudi Arabia’s firm support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia, voicing the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. He added that the Kingdom views this measure as a way to establish unilateral separatist measures which violate the international law, UN Charter and the OIC Charter.
In this context, Al-Khuraiji called on the OIC Member States to adopt a firm, collective Islamic stance rejecting any recognition of, or engagement with, separatist entities in Somalia, and to hold Israel responsible for any political or security implications resulting from these actions.
Moreover, he urged for coordinated action to reaffirm Somalia’s unity and prevent the creation of such precedents that threaten OIC members.
As for Palestine, the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the centrality of the Palestinian Cause for Saudi Arabia. He underscored the Kingdom’s support for all efforts aimed at achieving ceasefire in Gaza, and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and establish an independent state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
OIC Supporting Somalia
The OIC Foreign Minister’s extraordinary meeting aimed to discuss the unprecedented repercussions of Israeli recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region as an independent state and Israel’s blatant violation of the sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and its direct threat to regional and international peace and security.
In light of this, the OIC expressed strong condemnation and rejection of Israel’s move as a flagrant violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity, territorial integrity and the internationally-recognized borders, reiterating unwavering solidarity with the Somali government and people.
In its final statement, the OIC Foreign Ministers Council called the Israeli move an illegal measure that represents a direct threat to the peace and security of the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region, with dangerous implications for international security and peace.
Furthermore, it condemned the illegal visit by the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, to Somaliland, which the OIC stressed as an integral part of Somalia.
Rejecting Palestinian Displacement
The OIC Foreign Ministers Council also voiced firm rejection of any illegal foreign military, security or intelligence presence, particularly Israeli presence, on any part of the Somali territory. It emphasized that any attempt to establish military bases, security arrangements, any investments, or any foreign presence, without the approval of the legitimate Somali Federal Government is an assault on national sovereignty and a red line that cannot be crossed.
Importantly, the statement warned against any direct or indirect cooperation with the Israeli schemes to displace the Palestinian people, reiterating vehement rejection of any potential link between the Israeli move and any attempt to forcefully displace the Palestinian people from their land.
The statement also warned against any attempts to militarize the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region in a manner that threatens free navigation as well as regional and international maritime security.
Moreover, it noted that the Israeli actions constitute a dangerous attempt to unilaterally re-draw the geopolitical map of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea opposite the coast of Somalia.
In light of this, the statement called on OIC Member States to coordinate their positions and act collectively at the UN, international and regional organizations, in support of the unity and sovereignty of Somalia.
It also called on the international community, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council, to assume their legal and moral responsibilities to maintain international peace and security to challenge any attempt to impose new realities contrary to international law in the Horn of Africa region.
Palestinian Statehood
The OIC Foreign Ministers Council reiterated support for Palestinian Statehood, affirming that the establishment of an independent Palestinian State along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is key to achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. It reiterated support for the New York Declaration and hailing the recognition of Palestine by several States.
It also called for the consolidation and sustainability of the ceasefire in Gaza and the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, demanding a halt to Israel’s policies and procedures of annexation and illegal settlement.
The statement emphasized that all crimes committed by Israel amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of genocide, which warrant accountability and prosecution under international criminal law.
Moreover, the statement urged all States to provide support and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people to alleviate their suffering and boost their resilience on their land, calling upon them to join the emergency international coalition launched by Saudi Arabia to support the budget of the Palestinian Authority.
