Hargeisa — Somaliland's KAAH Party has opposed the opening of an embassy in Jerusalem, saying the move goes against the principles of Somaliland’s foreign policy and violates Article 10 of the country's Constitution.
“The embassy opened in Jerusalem is an issue that contradicts the very basis on which the President holds national authority. He holds office under the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland. Article 10, paragraphs 2 and 3, are against the action the President has taken,” said Birched Kaariye, KAAH Party’s Foreign Affairs Secretary.
The party said the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem is a sensitive matter involving religious, diplomatic, and legal questions, as the city of Jerusalem has long been at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. KAAH argued that the government’s decision needs to be weighed against the Constitution, national interests, and the broader position of the Islamic world.
Article 10 of the Somaliland Constitution, which deals with foreign relations, states that Somaliland recognizes and abides by the United Nations Charter and international law. The article also emphasizes that political disputes should be resolved through peaceful means and dialogue, and that Somaliland is part of the Arab nation, the peoples of Africa, and the Islamic world.