Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, a move that has drawn strong rejection from Somalia and the African Union (AU). The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, firmly rejected any recognition of Somaliland and reaffirmed the AU’s unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel plans to immediately expand cooperation with Somaliland in areas such as agriculture, health, and technology. So

Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, a move that has drawn strong rejection from Somalia and the African Union (AU).

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, firmly rejected any recognition of Somaliland and reaffirmed the AU’s unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel plans to immediately expand cooperation with Somaliland in areas such as agriculture, health, and technology. Somaliland’s President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, described Israel’s decision as “a historic moment.” Observers say Israel’s recognition could encourage other countries to follow suit, potentially strengthening Somaliland’s diplomatic standing and access to international markets. Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, condemned the move, stating that Somalia “categorically and unequivocally” rejects what he described as a deliberate violation of the country’s sovereignty. In an official statement, the African Union said its position remains consistent with the principles of its Constitutive Act, particularly respect for borders inherited at independence, as affirmed by the 1964 decision of the Organization of African Unity. “The Chairperson of the Commission firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entity,” the statement said, stressing that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. It warned that any attempt to undermine Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity contradicts fundamental AU principles and risks setting a dangerous precedent that could threaten peace and stability across Africa. Meanwhile, Egypt’s foreign minister held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti to discuss Israel’s declaration. According to Egypt’s foreign ministry, the four countries reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The statement also warned against unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability or create what it termed “parallel entities” to Somalia’s state institutions. The ministers argued that recognising the independence of parts of sovereign states would violate international law and the United Nations Charter. Somaliland is a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa that has governed itself since 1991 but lacks international recognition as a separate country from Somalia. It is located along the Gulf of Aden and borders Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia’s Puntland region. Formerly a British protectorate, Somaliland briefly gained independence in 1960 before uniting with Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic. However, long-standing political marginalisation and years of conflict led Somaliland to withdraw from the union after the collapse of Somalia’s central government. Since then, it has maintained relative peace and stability compared to much of southern Somalia.

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