The African Union and Somalia denounced Israel's announcement on Friday that it viewed Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state". Israel is the first country to recognise Somaliland, which declared…

Israel's recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland "is (a) threat to the security and stability of the world and the region," Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has told an emergency parliamentary session.

Somalia, which regards Somaliland as an integral part of its territory, rejected the deal as unlawful, describing it as “deliberate attack on its sovereignty.”

Somalia reacted angrily Friday (December 26) after Israel formally recognised the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" – the first country to do so. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has for decades pushed for international recognition. US President Donald Trump said he opposed US recognition of Somaliland in an interview with the New York Post.

The EU said it “reaffirms the importance of respecting the unity, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity” of Somalia.

This comes after a host of nations and blocs condemned Israel's decision. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Amid wave of condemnations of Israeli move, Taiwan welcomes decision, calling Jerusalem, Taipei and Hargeisa 'like-minded democratic partners'