Azerbaijan backs Somalia at emergency OIC meeting over Somaliland

An extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been held to reaffirm support for Somalia’s sovereignty, with Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev taking part amid concern over moves to recognise the breakaway region of Somaliland.

The emergency session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers was convened in Jeddah Saturday (10 January) to address developments affecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Addressing the meeting, Rafiyev reiterated Azerbaijan’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity.

He said Baku would continue to support collective international efforts, including those of OIC member states, to uphold Somalia’s internationally recognised borders.

Rafiyev noted that Azerbaijan was an active member of the OIC Contact Group on Somalia and stressed the importance of coordinated diplomatic action in response to developments affecting the country’s stability.

He also underlined Azerbaijan’s commitment to the norms and principles of international law, calling on the international community to act responsibly and within established legal frameworks to promote peace, stability and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea basin.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of a resolution expressing unequivocal and resolute support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, according to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Somaliland recognition

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognised by most of the international community.

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In December 2025, Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state, a move rejected by Somalia and criticised by the African Union, which continues to back Somalia’s territorial integrity.

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Azerbaijan Somalia Horn of Africa somaliland