West Jerusalem's recognition of the breakaway region undermines the prospects for peace, Pretoria's envoy to the UN has said

South Africa's ambassador to the United Nations, Mathu Joyini, has criticized Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland as "ironic and cynical," citing West Jerusalem's refusal to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Speaking at an emergency session of the UN Security Council in New York on Monday, Joyini highlighted the contrast between Israel's stance and international consensus.

"It is ironic and cynical that Israel wishes to be the only state to recognize Somaliland while at the same time rejecting recognition of the State of Palestine, which the overwhelming majority of UN member states have recognized as being legal in terms of international law," she told the council.

The meeting was convened at Somalia's request following Israel's announcement on December 26 that it had become the first UN member state to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent sovereign nation.

Somaliland, a breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, has functioned autonomously since 1991 but lacks recognition from any other country.

Joyini further argued that Israel's actions undermined global norms. "Their actions that negate peace, such as the actions of the State of Israel therefore warrant condemnation."

In a separate statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), spokesperson Chrispin Phiri echoed the condemnation.

"The recognition constitutes a violation of the Federal Republic of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and a direct threat to peace in the Horn of Africa," Phiri said.

He added, "Israel's action validates fragmentation and risks a domino effect of instability."

First published by IOL