The Intergovernmental Authority on Development has formally rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, describing the move as unilateral and inconsistent with established international legal frameworks. The regional bloc said such actions undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, a recognised member state of IGAD.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the IGAD Secretariat said it had taken note of recent developments in the Horn of Africa, including announcements linked to Israel’s position on Somaliland. The organisation emphasised that Somalia remains a sovereign state whose unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully recognised under international law.
IGAD stated that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland runs contrary to the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the Agreement establishing IGAD. According to the bloc, these legal instruments are clear in their support for territorial integrity, respect for existing borders and non interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
The Secretariat reiterated that Somalia’s status within IGAD is unchanged and firmly grounded in international law. It stressed that recognition decisions taken outside multilateral frameworks risk destabilising the region and weakening long standing principles that govern relations between states.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. Since then, it has operated its own government institutions, security structures and electoral systems for more than three decades. Despite this, Somaliland has not received international recognition as an independent state and continues to be regarded by both the African Union and the United Nations as part of Somalia.
IGAD called on international partners and stakeholders engaging in the Horn of Africa to adhere strictly to international law. The organisation urged countries to support dialogue driven approaches that promote peace, stability and cooperation rather than actions taken outside agreed multilateral mechanisms.
The regional bloc reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s unity and to a rules based international order. It noted that sustainable peace in Somalia and across the wider IGAD region can only be achieved through dialogue, cooperation and respect for international legal norms.
IGAD’s statement came shortly after the African Union also dismissed any initiative aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent state. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said the continental body remained deeply concerned about recent debates surrounding Somaliland’s status.
Youssouf reiterated that the African Union’s position is anchored in its founding legal principles, particularly those outlined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union. He emphasised that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and that the AU’s stance on the matter has been consistent over time.
The coordinated responses from IGAD and the African Union highlight continued regional and continental alignment on Somalia’s territorial integrity and the importance of upholding international law in addressing political developments in the Horn of Africa.
