Somaliland: Why is AU contradicting its own report?

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

On December 26, 2025, Israel’s recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign nation sent a clear message to the international community: It is time to acknowledge the political and legal realities of the Horn of Africa.

While this move was celebrated in Hargeisa, the African Union (AU) responded with a swift and predictable condemnation, citing a rigid interpretation of colonial-era borders that is not only outdated but also riddled with contradictions.