AU, Others Reject Israel’s Recognition Of Somaliland As Independent State

The African Union (AU) and other countries have expressed outrage over Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent country out of Somalia and rejected any attempt to recognise Somalia’s secessionist region of Somaliland as an independent country, reiterating its unwavering support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to immediately expand cooperation in agriculture, health and technology. Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, called the development “a historic moment”.

Abdullahi said in a statement that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, in what he called a step toward regional and global peace.

Somaliland was committed to building partnerships, boosting mutual prosperity and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa, he added.

The recognition by Israel could encourage other nations to follow suit, increasing the region’s diplomatic credentials and access to international markets.

But in a reaction, the AU bloc said the chairman of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, had “unequivocally reaffirmed” the organisation’s position on the need to uphold “the respect for the intangibility of borders inherited at independence.”

He stated that the AU firmly rejected any initiative or action aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entity, recalling that Somaliland remained an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

“Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia runs counter to the fundamental principles of the African Union and risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent,” Youssouf said.

Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, said his country categorically and unequivocally rejected what he called a deliberate attack by Israel on its sovereignty.

The decision has been condemned by the foreign ministers of Somalia, Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti, who in a statement affirmed their “total rejection” of Israel’s announcement.

Egypt’s foreign minister held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss issues including Israel’s declaration.

In a statement, Egypt’s foreign ministry said the four countries reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and warned against unilateral steps that could undermine stability or create what they called “parallel entities” to Somalia’s state institutions.