Somalia has reiterated that it does not recognize Israel and will firmly oppose any move that threatens the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdifatah Qasim Mahmoud, made the remarks in an interview with Al Araby Television, stating that Somalia cannot recognize Israel or any part of its territory.
“Israel is not a recognized state, and as such, it cannot recognize a part of Somalia. We will defend Somalia’s sovereignty,” Minister Abdirahman Qasim said.
The minister further said the Federal Government of Somalia would take all necessary measures to protect the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
His comments come amid heightened tensions over Israel’s reported recognition of the northwestern regions of Somalia as an independent state at the end of last year.
Somalia has consistently rejected any move that it considers a violation of its territorial integrity and has maintained that the country’s borders and sovereignty must be respected.
Mustaqbal
