Thousands of Somalis protest Israeli recognition of Somaliland

Large protests broke out in several towns and cities across Somalia on Tuesday in opposition to Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland. Israel announced on Friday that it viewed Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but has never been recognised by any other country, as an “independent and sovereign state”. Thousands of protesters […]

Large protests broke out in several towns and cities across Somalia on Tuesday in opposition to Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Israel announced on Friday that it viewed Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but has never been recognised by any other country, as an “independent and sovereign state”.

Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and gathered at a stadium, waving placards with anti-Israeli slogans alongside Somali and Palestinian flags.

“We will never allow anyone to violate our sovereignty,” one attendee, Adan Muhidin, told journalists, adding that Israel’s move was “a blatant violation of international law”.

Demonstrations also took place in Lascanod in the northeast, Guriceel in central Somalia, and Baidoa in the southwest.

“There is nothing we have in common with Israel. We say to the people of Somaliland, don’t bring them close to you,” said Sheikh Ahmed Moalim, a local religious leader, in Guriceel.

Meanwhile, the United States defended Israel’s right to recognise the breakaway territory of Somaliland at the United Nations on Monday, comparing it to the recognition of a Palestinian state by numerous countries.

“Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state,” Tammy Bruce, deputy US ambassador to the UN, said during an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

“Earlier this year, several countries, including members of this council, made the unilateral decision to recognise a nonexistent Palestinian state, and yet no emergency meeting was called to express this Council’s outrage,” she added, accusing colleagues of “double standards.”

US President Donald Trump has said he opposes recognition of Somaliland, and Bruce said Monday that “there has been no change in American policy.”

Somaliland has long been a haven of stability and democracy in the conflict-scarred country, with its own money, passport and army.