Addis Ababa/Cairo, December 30, 2025 – Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has urged the African Union (AU) to convene an emergency session of its Peace and Security Council (PSC) to formally reject Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state, describing the move as a "flagrant violation" of international law and a threat to regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
Abdelatty made the call on Monday during his intervention in a virtual ministerial meeting of the AU PSC, which was primarily focused on developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He reiterated Egypt's "categorical rejection" of Israel's decision, arguing that it contravenes the UN Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and established principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Egyptian diplomat warned that unilateral recognitions of breakaway regions undermine the foundations of peace and security across the continent and beyond, particularly in the strategically vital Horn of Africa and Red Sea region. He emphasized the need for the PSC to reaffirm Somalia's unity and reject actions that could set dangerous precedents for separatist movements elsewhere in Africa.
Israel's announcement on December 26 marked it as the first United Nations member state to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, a region that unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a joint declaration with Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, framing the move as aligned with the spirit of the Abraham Accords and promising expanded cooperation in agriculture, health, technology, and security.
Somaliland has functioned as a de facto independent entity for over three decades, with its own government, currency, elections, and security forces, achieving relative stability compared to the rest of Somalia. However, it has lacked international recognition, with the AU and most countries upholding Somalia's territorial integrity.
The decision triggered immediate and widespread condemnation. Somalia's government described it as an "unlawful step" and "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud calling it a "naked invasion" and an existential threat during an emergency parliamentary session. Mogadishu vowed to defend its territory and rejected any foreign military presence that could import regional conflicts.
Türkiye, a key ally of Somalia, denounced the recognition as "unlawful" and overt interference in Somalia's internal affairs, aligning with Israel's alleged expansionist policies. The African Union swiftly rejected the move, with Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirming that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia and warning of far-reaching implications for continental peace.
The Arab League held an emergency meeting on Sunday in Cairo at Somalia's request, issuing a strong condemnation and calling on the UN Security Council to intervene firmly against what it termed an "illegal" act threatening international peace. A joint statement from over 20 Arab, Islamic, and African countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran, echoed these concerns.
The European Union and United States reaffirmed support for Somalia's territorial integrity, with the EU calling for dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa. Some observers and Somali officials linked the recognition to broader geopolitical motives, including potential Israeli interest in Red Sea access or reported discussions on relocating Palestinians from Gaza—allegations denied by both Israel and Somaliland.
In Hargeisa, crowds celebrated the breakthrough, viewing it as a historic step toward ending diplomatic isolation and opening economic opportunities. Somaliland's leadership expressed readiness to join the Abraham Accords and establish full diplomatic ties, including embassies.
Analysts note that Israel's move could provide strategic advantages in countering Iranian influence via Yemen's Houthis and securing maritime routes, while offering Somaliland leverage in negotiations with neighbors like Ethiopia. However, the backlash highlights risks of escalating tensions in a volatile region plagued by piracy, terrorism, and interstate disputes.
As calls mount for multilateral action, including a potential UN Security Council discussion, the controversy underscores broader debates on self-determination, sovereignty, and the application of international norms in post-colonial contexts. Egypt's push for an AU emergency PSC session aims to consolidate African opposition and prevent further unilateral recognitions that could fragment fragile states.
The development has also drawn parallels to other unrecognized entities, with critics accusing Israel of inconsistency in rejecting Palestinian statehood aspirations while endorsing Somaliland's. For now, Israel's pioneering recognition stands alone, testing the resilience of AU principles on territorial integrity amid shifting global alliances.
