Addis Ababa — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has firmly rejected any initiative to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, reiterating the African Union’s “unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.”
In a press statement issued from Addis Ababa, the AU Commission Chairperson said he had taken note “with deep concern” of recent developments related to Somaliland, warning that any move toward recognition would run counter to the Union’s foundational principles. He emphasized that Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” and cautioned that attempts to undermine Somalia’s unity risk setting “a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.”
The statement underscores the African Union’s longstanding position, rooted in the Constitutive Act of the AU and the principle of respect for borders inherited at independence. This principle, first affirmed in a landmark 1964 decision of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), has guided Africa’s post-colonial order by seeking to prevent territorial disputes and fragmentation among member states.
“The Chairperson of the Commission unequivocally reaffirms the longstanding and consistent position of the African Union,” the statement reads, stressing the inviolability of borders and the need to uphold Somalia’s internationally recognized sovereignty.
Somaliland, located in the northwestern part of Somalia, declared independence in 1991 following the collapse of the central Somali state. Since then, it has developed its own governing institutions, held elections, and maintained a degree of stability compared to other parts of Somalia. Despite these developments, Somaliland has not been recognized as a sovereign state by the African Union or the United Nations, and the AU has consistently treated the issue as an internal Somali matter to be resolved through dialogue.
The AU’s position reflects broader continental concerns that recognizing secessionist entities could encourage similar movements elsewhere in Africa, potentially destabilizing regions with fragile borders and unresolved internal conflicts. “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia,” the Chairperson warned, “runs counter to the fundamental principles of the African Union.”
At the same time, the statement reaffirmed the AU’s support for Somalia’s federal authorities, including efforts to consolidate peace, strengthen state institutions, and promote inclusive governance. The African Union has long been engaged in Somalia through political support and peace operations, viewing stability in Somalia as critical to security in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
By reiterating its firm stance on Somaliland, the African Union has once again signaled that questions of statehood and territorial integrity will continue to be guided by collective continental norms, rather than unilateral actions, as it seeks to preserve stability and unity across Africa.