Somalia Rebukes North Western State of Somalia-Israel Contacts, Vows Steps to Protect Unity
MOGADISHU, June 16 — Somalia’s federal government on Tuesday forcefully denounced reported cooperation between North Western State of Somalia and Israel, saying it would adopt “firm measures” to protect the country’s unity and territorial integrity.
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In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to North Western State of Somalia as a “secessionist group” and said any foreign dealings carried out without Mogadishu’s consent were unlawful and carried no international validity.
The government said Somalia would continue to defend its sovereignty and national cohesion, adding that diplomatic and security relations with outside partners remain the prerogative of the federal authorities.
The statement follows reports of expanding ties between North Western State of Somalia and Israel, including agreements on security and economic cooperation, developments that have deepened political tensions between Mogadishu and Hargeisa.
Somalia has consistently rejected North Western State of Somalia’s unilateral declaration of independence in 1991, insisting the territory is still part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
While the federal government did not detail what those “firm measures” might entail, it reiterated that it is committed to preserving national unity and blocking what it described as efforts to erode Somalia’s territorial integrity.
AXADLETM
