The African Union (AU) has rubbished Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, delivering a firm diplomatic response affirming Africa’s long-standing commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Israel’s move has reignited a simmering continental debate over borders, sovereignty and precedent.

In a strongly worded statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said the continental body views Israel’s move as “deep concern” and rejected any move to recognise Somaliland as an independent state.

He argued that in the eyes of the African Union, Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and any attempt to treat it otherwise runs counter to the founding principles of the Union.

The reaction comes just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he had formally recognised Somaliland, a self-governing territory in northern Somalia that declared independence in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia’s central government.

While Somaliland has since built its own institutions, held multiple elections and maintained relative stability in a volatile region, it has remained diplomatically isolated, with no United Nations member state previously extending formal recognition.

For the African Union, Israel’s move touches a raw nerve.

Youssouf grounded the Union’s position in one of the most sacrosanct doctrines of post-colonial Africa: the inviolability of borders inherited at independence.

This principle, first codified in a landmark 1964 resolution of the Organisation of African Unity, was designed to prevent the continent from sliding into endless territorial disputes in the aftermath of colonial rule.

It has since become a cornerstone of African diplomacy, even in cases where borders were drawn arbitrarily by colonial powers.

By invoking this doctrine, the AU is signalling that it sees Somaliland’s recognition not merely as a bilateral matter between Hargeisa and Jerusalem, but as a potential fault line that could reverberate across the continent.

“Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia risks setting a dangerous precedent,” the statement warned, pointing to possible far-reaching consequences for peace and stability in Africa.

Behind that caution lies a deeper fear that recognising breakaway regions could embolden other separatist movements, reopening old wounds in countries still grappling with internal divisions.

The AU also used the moment to reaffirm its support for Somalia’s federal government, pledging full backing for efforts to consolidate peace, strengthen state institutions and promote inclusive governance.

Somali officials are likely to welcome the AU’s stance as a vital diplomatic shield at a time when Somalia is still rebuilding after decades of conflict and insurgency.

For Mogadishu, maintaining territorial integrity is not only a matter of law, but a key pillar of national recovery and political stability.