JEDAHA — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the reported opening of a diplomatic mission by the self-declared “Somaliland” authorities in occupied East Jerusalem, describing the move as “illegal” and a violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.
In a statement issued by its General Secretariat on Sunday, the 57-member Islamic bloc said the establishment of any diplomatic presence in Jerusalem by an entity that is not widely recognized as a sovereign state undermines international legal norms and the established status of the city.
The OIC reaffirmed that Israel, which it described as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over East Jerusalem, and that any unilateral actions intended to alter the city’s legal, political, or demographic status are “null and void.”
“The General Secretariat strongly condemns the opening of a so-called embassy by ‘Somaliland’ in occupied Jerusalem,” the statement said, adding that such actions constitute a “flagrant violation” of the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.
The organization also reiterated its support for the Federal Republic of Somalia, emphasizing its commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. It urged the international community to reject and counter what it described as an unlawful diplomatic step.
The reported opening of the office has not been independently verified, and neither Somaliland authorities nor Israeli officials have issued detailed public clarification regarding the nature or status of the mission.
Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991, is not internationally recognized as an independent state, though it maintains informal relations with several countries and operates representative offices abroad.
The development, if confirmed, could further heighten diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the status of Jerusalem, a city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians, and already at the center of longstanding international disputes.
The OIC, based in Jeddah, has consistently rejected any actions that it views as undermining Palestinian claims to East Jerusalem and has repeatedly called for adherence to international resolutions on the city’s status.
