By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 19 April 2026 The African Union Commission on Sunday condemned Israel’s appointment of an ambassador to Somaliland, terming it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
In a statement issued in Addis Ababa, the commission said it “strongly condemns” the move and reaffirmed the African Union’s respect for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
The commission said it does not recognize Somaliland as an independent state and warned that any unilateral recognition would be “null and void.”
It cited a previous communiqué of the African Union Peace and Security Council, underscoring that such actions risk undermining regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
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“The African Union remains committed to supporting Somalia’s peace, governance and national cohesion,” the statement said.
The Commission added that the reported move contravenes the principles of the African Union’s Constitutive Act and international law.
Israel’s appointment of an ambassador to Somaliland has drawn criticism from Somalia and several regional and international organisations, which have described it as a threat to Somalia’s territorial integrity.