EFF rejects Israel move on Somaliland

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland” as an independent state, describing the move as illegitimate and a deliberate attempt to destabilise Somalia and expand Israeli influence in Africa and the Middle East.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the EFF said it joins the global community in rejecting what it called Israel’s calculated geopolitical manoeuvre, warning that the recognition would heighten tensions in the Horn of Africa and potentially spark further conflict.

The party argued that the move forms part of a broader strategy by Israel to encircle states that oppose its actions in Palestine, particularly those that have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.

According to the EFF, recognising “Somaliland” provides Israel with political, economic and trade access to a strategically important region, while also advancing what it claims is a plan to resettle Palestinians who have survived ethnic cleansing. The party said this follows Israel’s recent pronouncement on the annexation of 19 new settlements in the West Bank, adding that Islamic countries have refused to participate in any resettlement programme based on the annexation of Palestinian land.

The EFF further accused Israel and the United States of jointly undermining international institutions, especially when they are led by African states that openly support Palestine. The party claimed that African leadership in global institutions is being challenged through coercive diplomacy, isolation and political pressure whenever such states take positions contrary to US Israeli interests.

It said this pattern began with what it described as US efforts to undermine South Africa’s presidency of the G20 and has now extended to Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland”, which the EFF believes is aimed at weakening Somalia’s role as President of the United Nations Security Council.

EFF National Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the party views the development as part of a broader campaign to delegitimise African states on the global stage. “What we are seeing is a systematic attempt to punish countries that stand firm in solidarity with Palestine and challenge the conduct of Israel,” Thambo said. “Africa is being told that if it dares to assert independent leadership in international institutions, there will be consequences.”

The EFF also linked the recognition of “Somaliland” to recent United States airstrikes in Nigeria, which it said followed disinformation campaigns about the killing of Christians. The party claimed reports have since emerged indicating that civilians were killed in villages with no known links to terrorist activity.

Raising concern about South Africa’s own position, the EFF questioned what form of retaliation may be directed at countries that continue to support Palestinian self determination. The party warned that failure by the global community to unite against what it described as growing authoritarianism and imperialism would lead to global instability and the erosion of international institutions.

The EFF reaffirmed its call for nations to resist what it sees as domination by powerful states and to defend the sovereignty of African countries and the rights of the Palestinian people.