The African Union Commission has expressed profound concern and issued a strong condemnation over reports that Israel intends to appoint a diplomatic envoy to the self-declared entity of Somaliland, a move that has sparked significant diplomatic unease across the African continent.
In a firm and unequivocal statement, the Commission reaffirmed the African Union’s unwavering commitment to respecting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia. It stressed that this position is anchored in the Constitutive Act of the African Union as well as the established principles of international law governing state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Commission reiterated clearly that the African Union does not recognize Somaliland as an independent state under any circumstances.
The statement further recalled the communiqué issued following the 1324th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council, held on 6 January 2026. The Commission emphasized that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland is considered null and void from both legal and political standpoints, warning that such actions could seriously undermine regional stability in the already fragile Horn of Africa.
Concluding its statement, the Commission underscored the African Union’s continued commitment to supporting Somalia in its efforts to achieve lasting peace, strengthen governance institutions, and preserve national cohesion. It reaffirmed that Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity remain fundamental and non-negotiable pillars of the African Union’s collective policy framework.
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Somaliland Recognition Crisis: A Seventeen-Nation Coalition Condemns Israel’s Diplomatic Leap
