AU Upholds Somalia’s Sovereignty

14 Feb 2026 — 2 min read

Somalia at the AU: sovereignty, diplomacy and drought relief

AU Peace and Security Council rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. The PSC issued a communiqué from Addis Ababa declaring Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland administration “null and void” under international law, reaffirming Somalia’s unity and demanding reversal of the December 2025 decision; the statement also welcomed recent gains against Al-Shabaab. (Primary source: SONNA — AU PSC rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland)
Why it matters: the PSC’s stance strengthens continental backing for Somalia’s territorial integrity and raises diplomatic pressure over a unilateral recognition.
Also from: President Hassan Sheikh arrives in Addis Ababa for AU summit — the President is in Addis to rally support for Somalia’s sovereignty and will pursue bilateral talks.

President attends Italy–Africa Summit in Addis Ababa — Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took part in the 2nd Italy‑Africa Summit focusing on trade, investment, energy and infrastructure cooperation. (SONNA — Italy‑Africa Summit)
Somalia and Kenya foreign ministers meet — Somalia’s FM Abdisalam Abdi Ali met Kenya’s Musalia Mudavadi on the AU sidelines to coordinate on regional peace, cross‑border cooperation and trade. (SONNA — Somalia‑Kenya meeting)
Prime Minister meets former President ahead of political dialogue — PM Hamza Abdi Barre visited Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as preparations continue for talks with the Council for the Future. (SONNA — PM visit to Sharif)
Somali Ambassador presents credentials in Norway — H.E. Abdi Karim Ahmed Mohamed presented letters to King Harald V and met the Somali diaspora in Oslo. (SONNA — Ambassador to Norway)

Somalia chairs A3 meeting to boost Africa’s UN Security Council voice — FM Abdisalam Ali presided over the Sixth High‑Level Ministerial Meeting of the A3 to align positions between AU bodies and the UN Security Council. (SONNA — A3 ministerial meeting)

UK announces £6 million drought relief for Somalia — Baroness Jenny Chapman pledged £6m in new humanitarian funding on a Mogadishu visit to support drought‑affected communities; the sum is part of a broader £61m UK package for 2025/26 and will work through mechanisms such as African Risk Capacity (ARC) and the Start Network. (SONNA — UK £6m announcement)

Minister of Education hosts ALECSO delegation — H.E. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir met ALECSO’s Director‑General to discuss curriculum development, teacher training and cultural heritage collaboration. (SONNA — Education ministry meets ALECSO)

Presidential arrival in Addis was described as receiving a “warm diplomatic reception” — officials framed the trip as a push to defend Somalia’s unity. (SONNA — President arrives in Addis)
UK Minister visited a World Food Programme warehouse in Mogadishu and announced the £6m package there, noting the funding will reach vulnerable communities. (SONNA — UK minister WFP warehouse visit)
Somali ambassador in Norway met members of the diaspora after presenting credentials at the Royal Palace, briefing them on consular services. (SONNA — Ambassador meets diaspora)

AU Assembly outcomes: monitor formal decisions and any follow‑up measures from the 39th AU summit related to Somalia’s sovereignty. (See: President in Addis / AU PSC statement.)
Diplomatic fallout: look for any official response or reversal from Israel regarding the December 2025 recognition (currently the PSC has demanded reversal; further developments are unclear). (SONNA — AU PSC)
Humanitarian delivery: follow where the UK’s £6m is allocated and how quickly assistance reaches the drought‑affected populations. (SONNA — UK funding)
Domestic political talks: watch for outcomes of the scheduled negotiations between the Federal Government and the Council for the Future after the PM’s visit to former President Sharif. (SONNA — PM visit)

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA)

Compiled from public reporting; links above.