The African Union (AU) declared on Friday that “rejects any recognition of Somaliland” after Israel announced it considers the breakaway Somaliland a sovereign state. US President Donald Trump also told the US media that is against this decision. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
In a statement issued by its chairman, Mahmúd Ali Júsuf, the AU called for respect for African borders. “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia could lead to the creation of a dangerous precedent with far-reaching consequences for peace and stability across the continent,” stated.
Yusuf added that he “resolutely rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity” and declared that the area “continues to remain an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia”.
The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned in its statement that this decision is “deliberate attack” on the sovereignty of the region. Several other countries also condemned Israel’s decision including Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti.
In an interview with the New York Post published on Friday, the US president also said he was against recognizing Somalilandalthough Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is his close ally. “NO,” Trump responded to the newspaper’s question about whether the United States would recognize Somaliland. “Does anyone even know what Somaliland is?” he added.
The joint declaration was signed by Netanyahu, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullah. Saar wrote on the X social network that embassies will be opened and ambassadors appointed in both countries.
Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and so far no member of the United Nations (UN) has recognized its statehood. However, for example, the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Kenya and Taiwan have their offices here.
