The African Union has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent formal recognition of Somaliland, an autonomous region that declared independence from Somalia. The pan-African body unequivocally reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia, warning that Israel’s unilateral move risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent. This decision has ignited a significant diplomatic dispute, drawing immediate and widespread concern from African nations and key regional players.
Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland, a move announced on Friday as part of a reciprocal agreement aimed at expanding recognition of the Jewish state within the Muslim world. Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Abdullahi quickly hailed the development as a “historic moment,” suggesting it marks the beginning of a “strategic partnership” and accepting an invitation to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This diplomatic breakthrough for Somaliland, however, was immediately met with fierce opposition from Somalia’s federal government.
Somalia’s government swiftly criticised Israel’s action as an “unlawful step,” firmly asserting that Somaliland remains an “integral, inseparable, and inalienable part” of its sovereign territory. This stance reflects a deeply ingrained national position that views any recognition of Somaliland as a direct assault on Somalia’s constitutional integrity. The dispute underscores the long-standing tensions between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, which have simmered since Somaliland’s unilateral declaration of independence.
Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, declared its independence in 1991 amidst the collapse of Somalia’s central government and the ensuing civil war and chaos. Since then, it has largely governed itself in peace and stability, developing its own institutions and democratic processes, yet it has not secured international recognition for its sovereignty. President Abdullahi has made achieving this diplomatic goal a top priority since taking office last year, actively lobbying global powers for official status.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Youssouf, expressed profound concern over these developments, explicitly rejecting any initiative “aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entity.” He underscored the AU’s longstanding and consistent position, which is firmly rooted in the principles enshrined in its Constitutive Act, particularly the respect for the intangibility of borders inherited at independence, a doctrine affirmed by the 1964 decision of the Organisation of African Unity. This foundational principle is central to maintaining continental stability.
Mr. Youssouf further elaborated that any attempt to undermine Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity directly contravenes the fundamental principles of the African Union. He warned that such actions risk creating a perilous precedent with significant ramifications for peace and stability across Africa, where numerous member states grapple with their own internal secessionist movements. The AU’s 55 member states collectively uphold this principle to prevent widespread fragmentation.
Beyond the African Union’s strong rebuke, Israel’s decision drew swift and considerable condemnation from several key regional neighbours. Egypt’s foreign minister reportedly engaged in phone discussions with his counterparts in Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti, during which they collectively underscored their complete rejection of any unilateral measures that could potentially undermine Somali sovereignty or erode the foundations of stability in the broader Horn of Africa. This unified regional opposition highlights the widespread anxieties surrounding the move.
Israeli Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, framed the agreement as being “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” a series of normalisation agreements Israel brokered with several Arab nations starting in 2020. He announced Israel’s immediate plans to expand its relations with Somaliland through extensive cooperation in critical sectors such as agriculture, health, technology, and economy. This move signals Israel’s continued diplomatic strategy of fostering new alliances and expanding its influence.
The broader international community remains wary of actions that could disrupt established territorial norms. Many nations, particularly in Africa and beyond, are struggling to contain their own secessionist movements and fear that the recognition of one breakaway region could potentially trigger a cascade of independence claims. This concern reinforces the African Union’s emphasis on the inviolability of inherited borders as a cornerstone of continental peace and security.
