Somaliland has voiced “deep concern” over Somalia’s admission to the East African Community (EAC) bloc, calling it “grave injustice”.
The self-declared republic’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that Somalia’s membership of the regional trade bloc “undermines the principles of international law”.
“We firmly believe that this decision is a clear violation of Somaliland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it said.
“We urge the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and EAC member states to recognize Somaliland’s distinct identity and sovereignty. Somalia’s accession to the EAC without Somaliland’s consent is a grave injustice and undermines the principles of international law,” it added.
The call came a day after Somalia joined Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda to become the eighth member of the EAC to boost economic growth in the region.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said joining the regional trade bloc was a “beacon of hope” for Somalia.
He said it offered “hope for a future of opportunities and prosperity”.
The decision to admit Somalia was made after a meeting of heads of member states in Arusha, Tanzania.
Somaliland said “Somalia has no right to represent” the self-declared republic at any international or regional forum, including the EAC.
“Somalia’s accession to the EAC without Somaliland’s consent is a grave injustice and undermines the principles of international law,” it said.
“We sincerely hope that the AU, UN, and EAC member states uphold the aspirations of our people and their inherent right to self-determination,” it added.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared unilateral independence in 1991, nearly 30 years after it had merged with then Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic.
