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The European Union (EU) has stressed the need to uphold Somalia’s sovereignty following Israel’s decision to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state.
Israel announced on Friday that it had granted official recognition to Somaliland, becoming the first country to do so.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but its claim to statehood has never been internationally acknowledged.
Responding to the development, EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc firmly supports the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.
He emphasised that respect for Somalia’s sovereignty, in line with its constitution as well as the charters of the African Union and the United Nations, remains essential for stability across the Horn of Africa.
The EU also called for renewed engagement between Somaliland and Somalia’s federal authorities, urging both sides to pursue meaningful dialogue aimed at resolving their long-standing political differences.
Somalia’s government reacted angrily to Israel’s move, describing it as a deliberate violation of its sovereignty.
The decision was also condemned by several regional and international actors, including Egypt, Türkiye, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which is headquartered in Saudi Arabia.
Although Somaliland operates as a de facto state with its own currency, armed forces and travel documents, it has remained diplomatically isolated for more than three decades.
Despite its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden, the breakaway region has struggled to gain formal recognition on the global stage since declaring independence.
