AU Reaffirms Somalia’s Sovereignty, Condemns Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union has reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, strongly condemning what it described as Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland.

In a joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of its annual summit in Addis Ababa, African leaders warned that any unilateral recognition that contravenes the founding principles of the AU and the charter of the United Nations risks undermining peace, stability and unity across the continent.

The AU stressed the importance of respecting internationally recognized borders in line with its constitutive act and called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue and legal mechanisms consistent with African and international law. The bloc also endorsed a Dec. 26 statement by AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf rejecting any move to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.

The statement follows Israel’s announcement that it had exchanged recognition with Somaliland, becoming the first country to do so since the territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

The move has drawn criticism from several Arab nations and other members of the international community. The African Union reiterated that preserving Somalia’s territorial integrity remains fundamental to stability in the Horn of Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE