The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel, participated in the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The meeting was convened to discuss recent developments following the recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.
In his remarks, Dr Khaleel expressed the Maldives’ concern over actions affecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, stating that such moves run counter to established principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. He noted that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains a core principle underpinning international relations.
Placing the issue in a broader context, the Minister referred to ongoing regional instability, including the situation in Palestine and Gaza, and said continued disregard for international law risks weakening the rules based international order. He cautioned that this erosion sets a concerning precedent for small states such as the Maldives, which rely on international norms and multilateral frameworks to protect their independence and territorial integrity.
The OIC, which comprises 57 member states, continues to engage on political and humanitarian challenges facing the Muslim world and has maintained a long-standing focus on issues affecting Palestine. The Maldives has been an active member of the organisation since joining in 1976.
