South Africa has strongly criticised Israel’s recent decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, warning that the move undermines regional stability and contravenes established principles of African sovereignty. In a statement released by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Pretoria described the Israeli government’s action as a “direct threat to peace and security in the Horn of Africa,” and an affront to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
DIRCO expressed concern that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland could embolden secessionist movements across the continent and destabilise fragile regions that are still recovering from decades of conflict. “Israel’s action validates fragmentation and risks a domino effect of instability,” the ministry stated, asserting that such recognition disregards the African Union’s foundational principle of uti possidetis juris—the doctrine that upholds colonial-era borders to prevent post-independence territorial disputes.
South Africa further clarified its position by distinguishing between decolonisation, which it views as the restoration of sovereignty to peoples subjected to foreign domination, and secession, which it regards as the dismantling of existing statehood. “The former restores sovereignty; the latter dismantles it,” the ministry emphasised, urging the international community to support a united and stable Somalia rather than legitimising external interference.
Israel’s decision on 26 December 2025 marked the first official recognition of Somaliland by any nation. The move has prompted swift and widespread condemnation from regional and international actors, including Türkiye, which maintains strong diplomatic ties with Mogadishu, as well as several African and Middle Eastern states. Many governments and multilateral bodies have expressed concern that unilateral recognition undermines Somalia’s territorial integrity and violates international law as articulated in the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
Somaliland, located in the north of Somalia, declared independence in 1991 following the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime. Despite functioning with its own government, currency and security apparatus, it has not received international recognition as a sovereign state. Somalia continues to assert sovereignty over the region, viewing all external engagements with Hargeisa as infringements upon its unity and independence.
From a continental perspective, South Africa’s response reflects a longstanding commitment to multilateralism and the African Union’s approach to conflict prevention through respect for existing borders. Analysts have observed that Pretoria’s stance is consistent with its broader foreign policy framework, which prioritises non-interference, dialogue and regional solidarity over unilateral action.
Observers note that the issue of Somaliland’s status touches upon broader questions of postcolonial statehood, legitimacy and self-determination in Africa. While some view Somaliland’s governance and relative stability as evidence of its capacity for self-rule, others argue that its unilateral declaration, absent a negotiated settlement with Somalia, risks setting a precedent that could weaken the African state system.
The African Union has historically maintained that recognition of Somaliland should be determined through consensus among member states, rather than through unilateral decisions by external powers. South Africa’s statement underscores this sentiment, calling upon the international community to “reject external interference and affirm collective African approaches to peace and sovereignty.”
This development underscores the complexities of sovereignty and recognition in the African context, where the legacies of colonial borders, local aspirations for autonomy and international political interests often intersect. South Africa’s intervention thus represents not only a defence of Somalia’s unity but also a broader call for respecting African frameworks in addressing African political realities.
