The African Union (AU) has issued a sharp condemnation of Israel’s reported plan to station a diplomatic representative in the breakaway region of Somaliland, describing the move as a direct challenge to Somalia’s unity and a threat to regional stability.
In a statement released on Sunday, the 55-member continental body voiced deep concern over the development, reiterating its “unwavering respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia” as enshrined in the AU’s founding charter and international law.
“The African Union does not recognise Somaliland as an independent state,” the statement read. “The AU remains committed to supporting Somalia’s peace, governance, and national cohesion.”
The pan-African organisation further recalled a communiqué issued by its Peace and Security Council in January, which declared that “any unilateral recognition of Somaliland is null and void” and warned that such actions risk undermining stability across the region.
The latest diplomatic spat traces back to December 26, 2025, when Israel became the first country in the world to formally recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state. That decision drew immediate condemnation from Somalia and the broader international community.
During a ministerial-level meeting on January 6, the AU Peace and Security Council rejected Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland and called for its immediate revocation. The council also encouraged continued dialogue within Somalia as the only viable path toward resolving internal differences.
Despite the widespread opposition, Israel went ahead in April with the appointment of a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland, a move that has been jointly condemned by more than a dozen nations, including Egypt and Pakistan, who described it as a “flagrant violation” of Somalia’s sovereignty.
The AU has consistently warned that any form of recognition or diplomatic engagement with Somaliland outside the framework of Somalia’s federal system sets a dangerous precedent with far-reaching consequences for peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
Somaliland declared unilateral secession from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognised by any United Nations member state except Israel. The African Union, the Arab League, and the vast majority of the international community continue to regard the region as an integral part of Somalia.
