AU Condemns Israel’s Appointment of Ambassador to Somaliland as Hargeisa Defends Statehood Claim

GOOBJOOG NEWS|ADDIS ABABA: The African Union Commission has strongly condemned Israel’s appointment of an ambassador to Somaliland, reaffirming that the continental body does not recognize Somaliland as an independent state and warning that unilateral recognition moves are invalid under AU principles.
In a statement issued from Addis Ababa, the AU Commission reiterated its support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, saying any action that undermines those principles risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa. The Commission also referred to an earlier Peace and Security Council communiqué that rejected recognition of Somaliland and backed Somalia’s internationally recognized borders.
The AU reaction came after Somaliland released its own statement from Hargeisa defending its claim to statehood and responding to criticism from foreign governments.
Somaliland said it gained independence on June 26, 1960, before entering into union with the former Italian Somalia, and later reasserted its sovereignty in 1991 after the collapse of the Somali state. Hargeisa argued that its case is rooted in self-determination, historical continuity and more than three decades of peace, democratic governance and institutional stability.
The statement added that Somaliland’s expanding diplomatic engagement does not violate the sovereignty of any other country and called for what it described as a fact-based and pragmatic approach to its status.
Although Somaliland did not name the foreign ministers referenced in its statement, several countries and organizations have previously opposed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, including Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the African Union.
Israel last week formally appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, deepening ties after becoming the first country to recognize Somaliland in late 2025. The move has intensified diplomatic tensions with Somalia, which continues to regard Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory.
Somaliland has operated with its own government, security forces, currency and institutions since 1991, but it remains without broad international recognition or membership in the United Nations and African Union.