ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia-Dec 27, 2025- The African Union (AU) has firmly rejected any initiative aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent state, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said the continental body had taken note “with deep concern” of recent developments relating to Somaliland, warning that any move to accord it International recognition would contravene established African Union principles.
Youssouf reiterated that the AU’s position is grounded in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, particularly the principle of respect for the intangibility of borders inherited at independence.
He recalled the 1964 decision of the then Organization of African Unity (OAU), which affirmed the sanctity of colonial borders as a cornerstone for peace and stability across Africa.
“The Chairperson firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity,” the statement said, emphasizing that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The AU warned that any attempt to undermine Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace, security and stability across the continent.
The statement comes amid renewed international debate and speculation over Somaliland’s status, including reports in recent years suggesting that some non-African states, among them Israel, have explored closer engagement with the self-declared republic. While Israel has not formally recognised Somaliland as a sovereign state, such discussions have generated diplomatic sensitivity in the Horn of Africa, particularly given Somalia’s firm opposition to any unilateral recognition.
The African Union reaffirmed its full support for the Somali federal authorities, particularly their efforts to consolidate peace, strengthen state institutions and advance inclusive governance after decades of conflict and political instability.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated with its own administration and security structures. However, it has not been recognised as a sovereign state by the African Union, the United Nations, or any African country.
The latest AU statement underscores the bloc’s long-standing position that Somalia’s territorial integrity remains non-negotiable, even as regional and international interest in Somaliland continues to resurface.
