Somalis protested Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence. The participants chanted anti-Israeli slogans.
Thousands of Somalis protested on Tuesday against Israel’s move on Friday to recognize the independence of the breakaway region of Somaliland. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
Protesters in the streets of Mogadishu chanted anti-Israeli slogans and waved Somali and Palestinian flags. Demonstrations were held in several cities across Somalia.
Israel recognizes Somaliland
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel has become the first country in the world to formally recognize the independence of the Republic of Somaliland.
Somaliland is a former British protectorate and unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Since then, no member of the United Nations (UN) has recognized its statehood. However, for example, the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Kenya and Taiwan have their offices here.
Reactions on the international scene
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned Israel’s move as a threat to stability in the Horn of Africa region. On Tuesday, he traveled to Turkey, where he will discuss the latest developments.
The recognition of Somaliland by Israel was also criticized by several Muslim, African and Western countries, as well as international organizations such as the African Union or the European Union.
