The African Union (AU), comprising 55 member states, has rejected Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, reaffirming its firm and longstanding position in support of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
In line with its Constitutive Act and decades-old policy, the AU maintains that Somalia remains a single, indivisible state within its internationally recognised borders. The continental body has consistently opposed unilateral recognitions of breakaway territories, warning that such actions undermine regional stability and violate the principles of international law.
Somalia’s Federal Government welcomed the AU’s position, describing it as a clear affirmation of Africa’s collective commitment to sovereignty and non-interference.
African Union (Principled Position):
“The African Union is committed to the respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of its Member States.”
Somalia Welcomes Continental Support
Mogadishu has categorically rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, declaring it null and void under international law. The Federal Government stressed that no external actor has the authority to alter Somalia’s territorial configuration or constitutional order.
Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the Somaliland region is an integral and inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and that any attempt to legitimise secession outside constitutional and multilateral frameworks carries no legal effect.
Federal Government of Somalia:
“Any declaration or recognition that seeks to undermine Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity is null, void, and without legal or political effect.”
Regional Stability Concerns
AU officials and regional diplomats have warned that unilateral recognitions risk inflaming tensions in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, regions already facing complex security and humanitarian challenges. The AU has repeatedly emphasized that such actions could embolden separatist movements across the continent and weaken collective efforts to combat terrorism and political instability.
International Law and AU Framework
Under the Constitutive Act of the African Union, member states are bound by principles that include:
Respect for existing borders at independence
Sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states
Rejection of unconstitutional changes and fragmentation
The AU has consistently applied these principles in disputes across the continent, including Somalia, and has rejected any recognition of breakaway regions outside agreed legal and political processes.
Call for Responsible International Conduct
Somalia and the African Union jointly called on all states to respect international law, uphold the UN Charter and AU frameworks, and refrain from actions that could destabilize Africa and its neighboring regions.
The Federal Government of Somalia confirmed it will continue to pursue diplomatic and legal measures through multilateral institutions to defend its unity and internationally recognized borders.
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