AUC rejects recognition of Somaliland as sovereign state

The African Union (AU) has firmly dismissed any initiative to recognise Somaliland as an independent state.

In a statement on Friday, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reiterated its longstanding position that the territory remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Youssouf said he had taken note “with deep concern” of recent developments and debates surrounding the status of Somaliland. 

He emphasised that the AU’s stance is anchored in its founding legal principles.

“The Chairperson of the Commission unequivocally reaffirms the longstanding and consistent position of the African Union, grounded in the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union," he said.

".... in particular the respect for the intangibility of borders inherited at independence, as affirmed by the 1964 decision of the Organization of African Unity."

Youssouf stated that the continental body “firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity".

He underscored that Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”

He warned that any effort to alter Somalia’s internationally recognized borders would directly contradict AU principles and risk destabilizing the continent.

“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,” he noted.

The Commission reiterated the AU’s “unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somali".

The AUC chair expressed full support for the Somali government’s efforts to strengthen state institutions, consolidate peace, and advance inclusive governance.

The AU statement aligns with decades of continental policy, which has consistently opposed the re-drawing of Africa’s colonial-era borders to prevent conflicts and secessionist crises.

On Friday, Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intends to immediately expand cooperation in agriculture, health and technology. 

Somaliland's president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi called the development "a historic moment".

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

He added that Somaliland is committed to building partnerships, boosting mutual prosperity and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa.

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

Somalia's prime minister, Hamza Abdi Barre also joined in, saying his country categorically and unequivocally rejected what he called a deliberate attack by Israel on its sovereignty.