The Government of Rwanda has stated that it does not support the secession of Somaliland from Somalia, stressing that it stands for peace in the country and respect for international law.
This position was made public on December 28, 2025, through a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the statement, the Rwandan government said that on the issue of Somalia and Somaliland, it aligns itself with the positions of the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union, both of which Somalia is a member of.
The East African Community has reaffirmed its recognition of the Republic of Somalia as a single, unified state governed by the Federal Government of Somalia.
The bloc also emphasized its recognition of Somalia’s borders as they were defined at the time the country gained independence.
“The EAC calls for the promotion of unity and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Somalia, and urges all partners to respect international law relating to the sovereignty of states,” the statement reads.
On December 26, 2025, Israel’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs signed a declaration recognizing Somaliland as an independent state, expressing readiness to initiate bilateral cooperation in areas including agriculture, health, technology, and economic development.
The Somali government immediately condemned Israel’s decision, arguing that recognizing Somaliland as a sovereign state violates Somalia’s territorial integrity.
It reiterated that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia, despite having operated with its own autonomous institutions for the past 30 years.
Somalia further warned the international community that recognizing Somaliland as an independent state could threaten security in the Horn of Africa and encourage other groups within the country to seek secession.
