South Africa has raised concerns that Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and could fuel instability across the Horn of Africa.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the move challenges the authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia and poses a potential threat to regional peace.
Pretoria expressed unease over the announcement, warning that it violates Somalia’s territorial integrity.
According to the department, South Africa remains firmly committed to the African Union’s principle of uti possidetis, which upholds inherited colonial borders as a key safeguard against conflict on the continent.
It stressed the importance of clearly distinguishing between decolonisation, which restores sovereignty, and secession, which it says risks weakening states and encouraging fragmentation.
The department cautioned that recognising breakaway regions could set a dangerous precedent and lead to wider instability, calling on the international community to reject external interference and support a united and stable Somalia.
Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would pursue immediate cooperation with Somaliland in areas including agriculture, health, technology and economic development.
He also congratulated Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and extended an invitation for an official visit to Israel.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following years of conflict that left the country fragile. While the region has since established its own government, security structures and currency, it had not received formal international recognition until Israel’s announcement.
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