DJIBOUTI — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has officially rejected the State of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, characterizing the move as a breach of international law and a threat to the stability of the Horn of Africa.
In a formal statement released on Saturday, December 27, 2025, the IGAD Secretariat warned that such unilateral actions undermine the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The regional bloc emphasized that its stance is rooted in the fundamental legal frameworks governing global and regional diplomacy, including the United Nations Charter and the African Union’s Constitutive Act.
According to IGAD, these instruments mandate respect for existing borders and non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.
“The Secretariat reaffirms that the Federal Republic of Somalia remains a sovereign IGAD Member State whose unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are fully recognised under international law,” the statement declared.
Somaliland’s complex political status
While Somaliland has functioned as a self-governing entity since declaring independence following the 1991 collapse of the Siad Barre regime, it has spent over three decades seeking formal international recognition.
Despite maintaining its own security forces, currency, and democratic processes, the global community—led by the UN and the AU—continues to view it as an integral part of Somalia.
IGAD cautioned that any departure from this consensus bypasses established multilateral mechanisms designed to maintain regional peace.
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The Secretariat urged all international stakeholders to prioritize “dialogue-driven processes” over unilateral declarations.
African Union (AU) solidarity
The African Union (AU) matched IGAD’s firm stance, dismissing any efforts to recognize Somaliland as an independent sovereign state.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), expressed “deep concern” regarding recent debates over the territory’s status.
Youssouf reiterated that the AU’s position remains unshakeable and is anchored in the legal principles of the continent’s founding documents.
“The Chairperson of the Commission unequivocally reaffirms the longstanding and consistent position of the African Union, grounded in the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union,” Youssouf stated, further underscoring that Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
