African Union Rejects Somaliland Recognition by Israel

African Union Rejects Somaliland Recognition by Israel

London, UK — December 29, 2025

in a landmark diplomatic intervention that has reshaped the political landscape of the Horn of Africa.

Following the shock announcement on December 26 that Israel had formally recognized the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, the African Union (AU) convened an emergency session to issue a definitive rejection of the move.

The AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, unequivocally reaffirmed that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, warning that any external interference in Somalia’s domestic borders risks igniting a “Pandora’s box” of secessionist movements across the continent.

The AU’s decision is seen as a direct counter-maneuver to Israel’s unprecedented diplomatic shift.

By declaring Somaliland a sovereign entity, Israel became the first UN member state to do so, a move it termed as being “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.”

However, the pan-African body views this not as a step toward peace, but as a “dangerous precedent” that violates the African Union’s Constitutive Act.

The AU’s firm stance has set the stage for a major diplomatic showdown between the continental body and external powers seeking to influence East African geopolitics.

Key Headlines:

AU Rejects Recognition:

The African Union formally dismisses Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, citing the “intangibility of borders” as a non-negotiable principle.

Warning of Instability:

Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf warns that undermining Somalia’s territorial integrity will have “far-reaching implications” for continental peace.

Call for Sanctions:

Inside sources suggest the AU is considering diplomatic measures against any state that unilaterally redraws the map of an AU member nation.

Mogadishu Backed:

The Union reiterates its “unwavering commitment” to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its efforts to consolidate national authority.

Global Coordination:

The AU moves to align its position with the Arab League and the European Union to form a “United Front” against Somaliland’s independence.

The Doctrine of Inviolable Borders

The core of the African Union’s decision rests on the 1964 resolution of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which dictates that post-colonial borders must be respected to prevent endless territorial wars.

By rejecting Somaliland’s independence, the AU is signaling that it will not reward “de facto” governance at the expense of “de jure” sovereignty.

“Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the AU statement read, emphasizing that any change to this status must come through a consensus-based legal process between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, rather than through foreign decrees.

The AU decision also addresses the strategic concerns of other African nations. From Nigeria to Cameroon, many member states face their own internal secessionist pressures.

African leaders fear that if Somaliland is recognized by the international community without the consent of Somalia, it will provide a legal and political blueprint for other rebel groups to seek sovereign status, thereby destabilizing the entire African political architecture.

Israel’s Recognition and the “Dangerous Precedent”

The AU’s reaction was specifically triggered by the timing and nature of the Israeli announcement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to recognize the Republic of Somaliland has been interpreted by the AU as “overt interference” in African affairs.

The AU Commission expressed “deep concern” that such moves bypass the established diplomatic channels of the African Union.

Furthermore, the AU has raised alarms about the potential for a “proxy theater” in the Red Sea.

With Somaliland offering strategic maritime access, the AU is wary of foreign military or commercial deals—such as the previous Ethiopia-Somaliland port agreement—that bypass the central government in Mogadishu.

The AU’s decision reinforces the idea that the central government of Somalia is the only legal authority capable of entering into international treaties concerning Somali territory.

The Path Toward a United Somalia

In its final communiqué, the African Union did not merely issue a rejection but also offered a roadmap for reconciliation.

The AU has offered to serve as the primary mediator for a renewed “Unification Dialogue” between the authorities in Hargeisa and the Federal Government of Somalia.

The goal is to find a federalist solution that addresses Somaliland’s unique history and administrative successes while maintaining the unity of the Somali state.

The AU’s decision is expected to have an immediate impact on the global stage. By taking such a strong position, the AU has made it difficult for other nations—such as the United Kingdom or the United States—to follow Israel’s lead without damaging their relations with the 55-nation bloc.

For the time being, the African Union has anchored Somalia’s map in the principles of international law, ensuring that the dream of a “Greater Somalia” or a partitioned Horn of Africa remains a matter for Somalis to decide, not external powers.