A man holds a flag of the breakaway state of Somaliland in front of the Hargeisa War Memorial monument in Hargeisa on November 7, 2024. LUIS TATO / AFP
Somalia and the African Union reacted angrily Friday, December 26, after Israel formally recognized its northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" – the first country to do so. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has for decades pushed for international recognition, which has been the key priority for president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi since he took office last year.
But a Somali foreign ministry statement warned the decision was a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty that would undermine peace in the region. Several other countries also condemned Israel's decision. The African Union said it "firmly rejects" Israel's move, warning: "Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia...risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent." Somaliland "remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia", which is a member of the AU, the pan-African body's head, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, said.
