African Union Rejects Recognition Of Somaliland Amid Israel's Historic Move

African Union Rejects Recognition Of Somaliland Amid Israel's Historic Move   The African Union (AU) has firmly rejected any recogni...

African Union Rejects Recognition Of Somaliland Amid Israel's Historic Move

 

The African Union (AU) has firmly rejected any recognition of Somaliland as an independent entity, reaffirming its longstanding commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In a strongly worded press release issued on December 26, 2025, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed deep concern over recent developments and warned that attempts to undermine Somalia's unity could set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.

 

The statement comes on the same day Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign nation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision following a videoconference with Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, describing it as a step toward expanded cooperation in agriculture, health, technology, and the economy. The move, framed "in the spirit of the Abraham Accords," includes plans for full diplomatic relations, such as exchanging ambassadors and opening embassies.

 

Somaliland, a former British protectorate that briefly gained independence in 1960 before uniting with Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic, declared independence again in 1991 amid Somalia's civil war. Despite maintaining relative stability, its own currency, parliament, and democratic processes, it has lacked international recognition until now.

 

The AU's position, grounded in the principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the 1964 decision of the Organization of African Unity on the intangibility of inherited borders, underscores that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. Chairperson Youssouf reiterated the AU's full support for Somali authorities' efforts to consolidate peace, strengthen state institutions, and advance inclusive governance.

 

The timing of the AU statement appears directly linked to Israel's announcement, with the press release emphasizing rejection of "any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity." It highlights risks to continental stability, echoing concerns that such recognitions could encourage secessionist movements elsewhere in Africa.

 

Somalia's federal government swiftly condemned Israel's decision as an "unlawful step" and a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty. Regional powers, including Egypt, Turkey, and Djibouti, also denounced the move during coordinated diplomatic calls, warning of threats to international peace and security.

 

While Somaliland's leadership hailed the Israeli recognition as a "historic moment" and a potential catalyst for broader acceptance, the AU's stance aligns with the broader international consensus prioritizing Somalia's territorial integrity. The development adds a new layer of complexity to the Horn of Africa's geopolitics, where strategic interests—including access to the Red Sea and counterterrorism cooperation—intersect with longstanding principles of border inviolability.

 

The AU called on member states and the international community to uphold Somalia's unity, while pledging continued support for peace-building efforts in the region.