China and Djibouti Send Clear Message to Israel Over Somaliland Recognition

BEIJING — China and Djibouti have reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposing international recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland.

The two countries issued a joint statement Thursday following talks in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar.

“Both sides firmly support Somalia in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose any attempt to gain ‘diplomatic recognition’ for Somaliland,” the statement said.

The two governments also rejected recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, describing the region as an inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

“Both sides oppose recognising Somaliland as an independent entity and reiterate that Somaliland is an inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the statement added.

The declaration comes amid diplomatic tensions over Somaliland’s longstanding bid for international recognition. The region declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated with its own political institutions, administration and security forces, but has not secured broad international recognition.

Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state last December, triggering condemnation from Somalia and criticism from several countries.

Somalia considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory and maintains that agreements with Somaliland authorities that bypass the federal government undermine the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The dispute has become a sensitive issue in the Horn of Africa, a strategically important region bordering key maritime routes and facing overlapping security and geopolitical interests.

China has maintained support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, while Djibouti, which shares a border with Somaliland and has close economic and political ties with Somalia, has also opposed moves to recognize the region as an independent state.

The joint statement underscored the two countries’ shared position on Somalia’s unity, as regional and international powers continue to engage with authorities across the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland’s leadership has sought international recognition for decades, arguing that the territory has maintained stable institutions and governed itself separately since 1991. Somalia’s federal government, however, rejects its claim to independence and continues to regard the region as part of the country.

The latest declaration by Beijing and Djibouti reinforces diplomatic support for Somalia’s internationally recognized borders as the debate over Somaliland’s status continues. 

GAROWE ONLINE