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The United States government on Monday laid into countries rebuking Israel over its recognition of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
At a UN Security Council emergency meeting, Ambassador Tammy Bruce declared that Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other state.
Bruce recalled that earlier this year, several countries, including UN Security Council members, made a “unilateral decision to recognize a nonexistent Palestinian state.”
According to the Deputy U.S. Representative to the UN, no emergency meeting was called to express the body’s outrage when the Palestinian state was endorsed.
The diplomat accused the Council of “persistent double standards and misdirection of focus” by deviating from its mission of maintaining international peace and security.
Bruce told the gathering that the session on Somaliland was a distraction from “serious work” to address issues and developments in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
The Ambassador added that the United States has no announcement to make regarding its recognition of Somaliland, as there has been no change in American policy.
At the meeting, however, the United Kingdom reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia.
“The United Kingdom does not recognize Somaliland’s independence,” Ambassador James Kariuki stated. “We regret any action that risks undermining peace and security in the region.”
The UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN said any change to Somaliland’s status depends on mutual agreement between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, and must conform to the UN Charter.
The envoy called for further efforts between the Somali government and the Somaliland authorities to address differences and work together to face common threats.
Warning that Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups benefit from internal divisions in Somalia, the UK encouraged regional bodies and the international community to resolve the discord.
Britain expressed its commitment to the efforts to build a secure and stable Somalia as well as its democratic aspirations, advising political actors to unite to reach a consensus on the next steps.
This month, the Council extended the UN’s support for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), through UNSOS, and approved sanctions to degrade Al-Shabaab.
Somaliland: US slams countries condemning Israel after recognizing Palestinian state
