African Union urges Israel to drop Somaliland recognition

Last month West Jerusalem became the first and only international actor to recognize the breakaway region as a sovereign state

The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council has condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence and called for its “immediate revocation.”

“The Council strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, the unilateral recognition of the so-called ‘Republic of Somaliland’ by Israel,” it said in a post on X.

The council reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and stability” of Somalia.

On December 26, West Jerusalem signed a declaration recognizing Somaliland as a sovereign state, becoming the first and only nation to do so.

READ MORE: Somaliland denies hosting Israeli bases and resettling Palestinians

Somaliland proclaimed sovereignty in 1991 after a decade-long civil war, and has since built its own government institutions, security forces, and currency. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who took office last year, has made securing international recognition a central priority.

Somalia, which continues to regard Somaliland as part of its territory, has condemned Israel’s recognition as “illegitimate actions” and a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty. The Somali government has warned that the move could “exacerbate political and security tensions.”

On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in Somaliland, and the parties agreed to open embassies and appoint ambassadors. The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Sa’ar's visit, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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Israel’s decision has drawn sharp reactions across the region, including warnings from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The group has threatened to strike Israeli-linked targets in Africa if it expands its presence there.

African governments have broadly condemned the move, citing concerns it could undermine regional stability. The African Union and the East African Community have also reaffirmed their commitment to the territorial integrity of Somalia.

Commenting on Israel’s move, Andrey Maslov, head of the Center for African Studies at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics, told RT that securing a foothold on the Indian Ocean coast “is essential not only for Israel but also for its allies, primarily Washington, and not only in connection with the Houthis but also in the context of potential confrontation with China in the Indian Ocean basin.”