Following Israel’s reported plans to appoint a diplomatic envoy to the self-declared state of Somaliland, the African Union (AU) Commission has issued a strong condemnation, reaffirming that Somalia’s sovereignty must be respected. In a statement released on Sunday, the Union announced that any movement that violates the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia is unacceptable.
The continent’s largest organization, headquartered in Addis Ababa, indicated that Israel’s decision to send a diplomatic representative to Somaliland has created “deep concern.” In its statement, the Commission emphasized that “the African Union does not recognize Somaliland as an independent state,” noting that any unilateral recognition contradicts the AU’s Constitutive Act and international law.
Recalling the decision of the Peace and Security Council meeting held in January 2026, the Union stated, “Any unilateral recognition given to Somaliland is null and void.” The AU further warned that such actions could create additional instability in the already volatile Horn of Africa region.
It is recalled that in December 2025, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland. Recently, it was reported that diplomat Michael Lotem was appointed as Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland. This decision has deeply angered the Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu, which condemned the move as a “violation of our sovereignty and a breach of international law.”
In opposition to Israel’s actions, Somalia has called on the international community to respect its national unity. Additionally, Muslim-majority nations such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have issued a joint statement opposing Israel’s decision.
On the other hand, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the protests by stating that the international community’s opposition is “far from reality.” Pointing out that Somaliland has been governing itself as an independent state for the past 30 years, it argued that Israel’s recognition is a result of existing facts on the ground rather than a new phenomenon. However, the African Union announced that it will not change its stance regarding Somaliland’s quest for independence, based on the long-standing border agreements of African nations.
