By Hassan Adan
The Federal Government of Somalia has welcomed a strongly worded joint statement issued by several Arab and Islamic nations condemning what they described as Somaliland’s “illegal and unacceptable” move to open a diplomatic office in occupied Qudus.
In a statement released on Sunday, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation praised the unified position adopted by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Djibouti, Palestine, Oman, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and Mauritania.
The joint declaration rejected any attempt to establish diplomatic missions in occupied Qudus outside the framework of international law and United Nations resolutions, warning that such actions undermine the historical and legal status of the holy city.
“The ministers reaffirmed that such measures constitute a clear violation of international law and international resolutions and directly undermine the legal and historical status of occupied Qudus,” Somalia’s Foreign Ministry said in its statement.
The ministers further stressed that East Qudus remains occupied Palestinian territory since 1967 and insisted that any unilateral attempts aimed at changing its legal or demographic status are “null and void and without legal effect.”
The controversy follows reports and diplomatic discussions suggesting that Somaliland — the self-declared breakaway region in northern Somalia — was considering opening a diplomatic office in Qudus, a move that has triggered criticism from Mogadishu and several regional governments.
Somalia described the initiative as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, reiterating that Somaliland is internationally recognized as part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
“The Ministry particularly welcomes the ministers’ clear reaffirmation of their full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the statement added.
The issue of Qudus remains one of the most sensitive matters in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
Most countries and the United Nations consider East Qudus to be occupied Palestinian territory and maintain that the city’s final status should be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Somalia has consistently backed the Palestinian cause and opposed unilateral measures concerning Qudus, aligning itself with the broader Arab and Islamic position on the issue.
The latest diplomatic dispute also comes amid increasing regional attention over Somaliland’s independent foreign engagements and agreements pursued outside Mogadishu’s authority, which Somalia’s federal government has repeatedly described as unconstitutional and contrary to the country’s unity and territorial integrity.
