Somalia condemns Israeli map, reaffirms sovereignty

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Somalia on Wednesday condemned an Israeli map depicting the country as fragmented, reaffirming its sovereignty, unity and internationally recognized borders.

Somalia’s Information Ministry said in a statement that the map presented during a recent press briefing by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which depicted Somalia as fragmented, was “misleading” and “violates our internationally recognized borders.”

Mogadishu reaffirmed its “unwavering” commitment to its national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity as “enshrined in the Constitution of Somalia, the Charter of the United Nations, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.”

It said Somali territories, including Somaliland and Puntland, are integral and inseparable parts of the unified Somali nation.

The statement said any attempt by external entities or foreign officials to redraw, misrepresent or undermine Somalia’s political map constitutes a direct violation of international law and an unacceptable breach of fundamental diplomatic principles.

Somalia also called on international partners and bodies to respect the country’s independence and territorial integrity.

The federal government said it remains fully committed to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and will continue to uphold its constitutional duty to protect the unity of the Somali people.

The statement came three days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed a map during a national security presentation depicting Somalia’s semiautonomous Puntland state and Somaliland as territories considered friendly to Israel.