African Union Backs Somalia, Denounces Israel’s Move to Recognize North Western State of Somalia

AU reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty, condemns Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia on Sunday, issuing a sharp rebuke to what it called Israel’s unilateral recognition of North Western State of Somalia.

In a joint communiqué at the close of the AU’s annual summit in Addis Ababa, member states warned that any unilateral recognition that contravenes the founding principles of the African Union and the United Nations Charter risks undermining peace, stability and unity across the continent.

• The AU said it “strongly condemns” unilateral recognition that violates internationally recognized borders.
• The bloc endorsed a Dec. 26 statement by the AU Commission leadership rejecting moves to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state.
• Leaders urged that disputes be resolved through dialogue and legal mechanisms consistent with African and international law.

The statement followed Israel’s announcement that it had exchanged recognition with North Western State of Somalia, making it the first country to do so since the territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The claim drew criticism from several Arab nations and other members of the international community, adding diplomatic heat to a historically sensitive issue in the Horn of Africa.

Reiterating the AU’s constitutive principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, leaders emphasized the inviolability of borders and non-interference as bedrock norms designed to prevent conflict on the continent. The communiqué stressed that preserving Somalia’s territorial integrity remains fundamental to regional stability and to the AU’s long-standing approach to managing border and governance disputes.

North Western State of Somalia has operated a de facto administration since 1991 but has not been internationally recognized as a sovereign state. The AU’s stance aligns with the broader international consensus that recognition and status questions must be addressed through established diplomatic and legal pathways, not unilateral declarations or bilateral arrangements that could escalate tensions.

By backing the Dec. 26 position of the AU Commission and placing the issue squarely within continental and international legal frameworks, African leaders signaled a unified front meant to discourage external actors from short-circuiting those processes. The communiqué underscored that unilateral steps risk setting problematic precedents and complicating efforts to maintain peace and security.

While the AU did not detail enforcement measures, its message was unambiguous: external recognition attempts that circumvent AU and UN norms are unacceptable and will be treated as threats to continental cohesion. The bloc called for continued diplomatic engagement, encouraging all stakeholders to pursue dialogue grounded in law and respect for Somalia’s sovereignty.

The AU’s reaffirmation comes amid heightened international scrutiny of the Horn of Africa, where political realignments and security challenges can reverberate across the region. By anchoring its position in established principles and due process, the union sought to contain the fallout from the recognition dispute and to reinforce a rules-based approach to resolving contested status claims.

The African Union did not specify next steps, but its closing message was clear: respect international borders, avoid unilateral moves that inflame tensions, and seek solutions through dialogue and legal channels.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.