EAC-Map

The East African Community (EAC) has reaffirmed its recognition of Somalia as a single sovereign state following Israel’s recent decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent country.

Last week, Israel announced that it had recognised Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. Following the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would immediately expand cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health and technology.

Somalia, which joined the East African Community in 2023, condemned Israel’s move and accused it of violating its sovereignty.

In a response issued yesterday, the EAC Secretariat said it fully recognises the Federal Republic of Somalia under the authority of the Federal Government.

The regional bloc said its position is in line with the African Union’s Constitutive Act and relevant AU decisions that uphold Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It further stated that, in accordance with its founding treaty, the EAC recognises Somalia within the borders it inherited at independence.

The EAC also called on all stakeholders to respect Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and urged actions that comply with regional and international legal frameworks.

Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, becoming the first country to do so, has drawn condemnation from several regional countries, including Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the government of military ruler Siad Barre after a civil war.

The self-declared republic controls part of northwestern Somalia and operates its own constitution, currency and flag.

It claims the territory of the former British Somaliland protectorate, although its eastern regions remain under the control of rival administrations loyal to the Federal Government of Somalia.