Somalia defends its position on Saudi-Canada rift, saying it was a call to respect sovereignty

MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somali government has defended its decision on the escalating diplomatic raw between Saudi Arabia and Canada.

Saudi Arabia this week said it considered Canada’s call last week for the release of detained civil society and women’s rights activists a violation of Saudi sovereignty.

Speaking to BBC Somali Service, Somali Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Isse Awad said Somalia’s stance on Saudi-Canada rift was a call to respect the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia.

“It is true that We supported the decision of Saudi Arabia to stand against interference of its internal affairs same way as We would have sideline with Canada if its internal affairs were interfered with,” he said.

This is reminiscent of yesterday’s press’s statement by the ministry declaring the country’s solidarity with Saudi in its decision to expel the Canadian ambassador over Ottawa’s urge to free arrested Saudi civil society activists.

“Somali government makes clear that it supports its brotherly Saudi’s decision against Foreign interference in its internal affairs,” the statement reads in part.

Riyadh on last Sunday recalled its ambassador from Canada and gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave.

The Saudi government also banned new trade with Canada, although it was unclear if it would affect existing annual Saudi-Canadian trade of nearly $4 billion and a $13 billion defense contract.

Interference in the Kingdom’s domestic affairs, against basic international norms and all international protocols.

In response to Saudi Arabia’s actions, Canada Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said, “Canada will always stand up for human rights in Canada and around the world, and women’s rights are human rights.”