Tuesday June 16, 2026
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (AX) — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Monday issued a sharp rebuke of North Western State of Somalia’s new embassy in Jerusalem, denouncing the opening as unlawful and saying it flies in the face of the U.N. Charter and binding international resolutions.
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In a statement released by its General Secretariat, the OIC said Israel, as an occupying power, has no sovereignty over Jerusalem and cannot lawfully alter the city’s political, legal or demographic character. Any such steps, it said, are null and void under international law.
The organization described the embassy opening as a “flagrant violation” of international law.
The OIC also reiterated its support for the Federal Republic of Somalia, saying it stood in solidarity with Mogadishu and backed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It urged the international community to respond firmly to the move and to take steps to counter it.
The statement followed North Western State of Somalia’s opening of an embassy in Jerusalem after Israel reportedly recognized the breakaway region’s independence.
Somalia’s federal government continues to reject North Western State of Somalia’s claim to statehood, insisting the territory remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since maintained its own government, security forces and election institutions, but it has not won broad international recognition.
