Ashraf AboArafe
At the Extraordinary Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, convened in Jeddah, Pakistan delivered a firm and principled statement that blended diplomacy with moral clarity, reaffirming its commitment to international law, regional stability, and the rights of oppressed peoples.
Speaking at the high-level session, Pakistan strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and the accompanying visit by its foreign minister, categorically rejecting the move as a blatant violation of international law. Islamabad reaffirmed its unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, aligning fully with the collective OIC position.
Pakistan described the act as political aggression, warning that it threatens peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and beyond, with destabilizing implications for global order. The statement underscored that Somalia’s internationally recognized borders are inviolable, and that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Somali state.
Highlighting Somalia’s notable progress in recent years, Pakistan pointed to advances in political reconciliation, constitutional reform, economic development, inclusive electoral processes, and counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabab. It cautioned that external interference not only undermines these hard-won gains but also imperils the fragile trajectory toward lasting peace.
Beyond the Horn of Africa, Pakistan reaffirmed its steadfast support for Palestinian self-determination, reiterating its backing for a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The statement emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and the agreed ceasefire plan for Gaza.
In a broader appeal to collective conscience, Pakistan urged the OIC and the international community to jointly reject all actions that undermine Somalia and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). It stressed the necessity of a just and lasting resolution of IIOJK under United Nations auspices, while reaffirming solidarity with the Somali and Kashmiri peoples.
From Jeddah, Pakistan’s message was unambiguous: sovereignty is not negotiable, international law is not selective, and justice must remain the compass of global diplomacy.
