Bangladesh reaffirms support for Somalia's sovereignty at OIC extraordinary ministerial

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its full alignment with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on international law, sovereignty and Muslim unity.

"Bangladesh aligns itself fully with the collective resolve of the OIC to uphold international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, and the unity and solidarity of the Muslim world," Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said today (11 January) while speaking at the 22nd Extra Ordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The session was convened to deliberate on recent developments concerning Israel's recognition of the so-called "Somaliland" and its implications for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as broader regional and international ramifications, said a press release.

During his intervention, the adviser urged the OIC to categorically reject and condemn Israel's recognition of the so-called "Somaliland" and reaffirm, in the strongest possible terms, its full and unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

He further underscored the sovereignty of OIC member states is non-negotiable, stressing that illegal negotiations will not be tolerated and that justice, international law, and multilateralism must prevail over unilateralism and coercion.

Earlier in the morning, a senior officials meeting for the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC was held with the participation of a large number of representatives from OIC member states. 

The meeting also reaffirmed continued solidarity with the Palestinian people and the centrality of the Palestinian cause to the OIC.