Nigeria, April 19 -- The African Union has condemned Israel's decision to appoint a diplomatic envoy to the self-declared Republic of Somaliland.

Last Wednesday, months after it officially recognised the breakaway region of Somalia, Israel announced its first ambassador to the country.

The ambassador, Michael Lotem, had previously served as Israel's ambassador to Kenya.

His appointment is the latest development from the rapidly growing alliance between Israel and Somaliland-a move which the African Union considers a disregard for the territorial integrity of Somalia.

Israel became the first country in the world to recognise Somaliland last December. This action ended more than 30 years of diplomatic isolation and marked a diplomatic b...