Pakistan to Raise Somaliland Issue at Emergency OIC Meeting After Israel’s Recognition

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to attend an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah on Saturday, as Muslim countries coordinate a response to **Israel’s reported recognition of Somaliland.

The move has triggered widespread condemnation across the Islamic world, with concerns that it undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

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Curtain Raiser: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister to Attend Extraordinary Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah 9-11 January, 2026 https://t.co/RFQcqOHx9H
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 9, 2026

Why the OIC Called an Emergency Session

The emergency meeting follows Israel’s announcement last month regarding Somaliland—a self-declared region that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has never been recognized by any United Nations member state.

Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu, along with regional and international bodies, sharply criticized the development, warning that it could destabilize the Horn of Africa and violate established principles of international law.

According to the OIC, the extraordinary session aims to:

• Coordinate a unified position among Muslim states
• Reaffirm unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
• Review the political and legal implications of Israel’s move

Pakistan’s Position

Pakistan has strongly condemned the development, describing it as an attempt by Israel to undermine Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.

In a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office in Islamabad, officials confirmed that Ishaq Dar traveled to Saudi Arabia late Friday to participate in the conference.

“The OIC emergency session will address the implications of Israel’s recognition of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the statement said.

“During the session, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will share Pakistan’s position on the issue of Somaliland.”

Joint Muslim World Condemnation

Earlier this week, the OIC formally announced the emergency meeting, stressing that it would reinforce collective support for Somalia under international law and relevant OIC resolutions.

On Thursday, Pakistan joined other Muslim countries in issuing a joint statement condemning the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.

Saar’s visit on January 6 followed international media reports claiming Israel had contacted Somaliland authorities regarding the possible resettlement of Palestinians displaced from Gaza—a development that heightened alarm across the Muslim world.

Diplomacy on the Sidelines

In addition to addressing the Somaliland issue, Ishaq Dar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of other OIC member states on the sidelines of the conference. These discussions are likely to focus on:

• Regional security
• Middle East developments
• Broader international cooperation

Broader Implications

The Somaliland controversy comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Africa, where questions of recognition, sovereignty, and forced displacement remain deeply sensitive.

For Pakistan and other OIC members, the issue is viewed not only through a regional lens but also as part of a broader challenge to international norms and the rights of Muslim nations.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s participation in the emergency OIC meeting underscores Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement on issues affecting the Muslim world. As the OIC seeks a coordinated response, the outcome of the Jeddah meeting could shape collective diplomatic and political action in the coming weeks.