Egypt seeks AU emergency session against Israeli Somaliland move

Egypt has formally urged the African Union to convene an emergency session to address Israel's controversial recognition of Somaliland. In a virtual ministerial meeting on Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty denounced the move as a blatant violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the AU's foundational act, warning it threatens peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

Growing Diplomatic Condemnation Across Organizations

The Egyptian call follows a coordinated diplomatic push from regional blocs. On Sunday, the Arab League, after an emergency meeting in Cairo, appealed to the United Nations Security Council to take a firm stance against the recognition and affirmed Somalia's right to defend its territorial integrity. This mounting international response reflects broad consensus that the unilateral recognition undermines stability, with Türkiye—a key partner for Somalia—and numerous other nations in Africa and the Middle East having already condemned Israel's Friday announcement.

Somalia's Firm Stance and the Somaliland Context

The government in Mogadishu has reiterated its absolute commitment to sovereignty and territorial unity in response to Israel's decision. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated as a de facto independent entity, though it has failed to achieve widespread diplomatic recognition. The central Somali government maintains that any foreign engagement with Somaliland constitutes a violation of its sovereignty.

Regional Stability and International Law at Stake

Abdelatty's call for an AU Peace and Security Council emergency meeting aims to secure a pan-African rejection of Israel's step, framing it as a challenge to continental unity and established legal norms. The situation underscores the delicate political landscape of the Horn of Africa, where such diplomatic actions are viewed through the lens of potential broader regional instability. The outcome of these diplomatic efforts at the AU level will be a critical next step in the international community's response.