Israel recognises Somaliland as independent state in historic diplomatic shift

Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state, a move announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and described by Somaliland’s leadership as a historic breakthrough after more than three decades of international isolation.

Netanyahu said Israel would immediately expand cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health and technology. Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, welcomed the decision as “a historic moment” and said the territory would join the Abraham Accords, framing the step as part of a wider push for regional and global peace.

The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, confirmed that the two sides had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, including the appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies. He said he had instructed his ministry to move quickly to institutionalise ties across a wide range of fields.

Regional backlash and Somalia’s response

The move was immediately rejected by Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory. Somalia’s prime minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, said his government categorically and unequivocally rejected what he called a deliberate attack on Somalia’s sovereignty.

Foreign ministers from Somalia, Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s decision and affirming their total rejection of the recognition. Egypt’s foreign ministry said the four countries reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning that unilateral steps could undermine stability and create parallel entities to Somalia’s state institutions.

They also argued that recognising breakaway regions of sovereign states would set a dangerous precedent under international law and the United Nations Charter. The statement added that the ministers reiterated their rejection of any plans to displace Palestinians outside their homeland.

The African Union also criticised the decision, saying it firmly rejected any attempt to undermine Somalia’s territorial integrity and warning of far reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.

A first for Somaliland

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the regime of former dictator General Siad Barre. Since then, it has operated as a de facto state with its own government, currency, passports and security forces, but had not been recognised by any UN member state until now.

Home to almost six million people, Somaliland occupies a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has increasingly featured in regional geopolitics involving Somalia, Ethiopia and Egypt. Last year, an agreement allowing landlocked Ethiopia to lease part of Somaliland’s coastline for a port and military base angered Somalia and heightened regional tensions.

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Recognition by Israel could encourage other countries to follow, potentially improving Somaliland’s diplomatic standing and access to international markets. Abdullahi said the territory was committed to building partnerships, boosting mutual prosperity and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa.

Broader geopolitical context

Israel has spent years seeking to strengthen ties across the Middle East and Africa, though recent wars, including in Gaza and confrontations with Iran, have complicated those efforts. The Abraham Accords, brokered during President Donald Trump’s first term in 2020, saw countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Morocco normalise relations with Israel, with others joining later.

Israeli analysts have argued that recognising Somaliland could serve Israel’s strategic interests, given the territory’s proximity to Yemen and key shipping lanes. Somaliland already hosts a military base operated by the United Arab Emirates in the port city of Berbera, which has played a role in regional security dynamics.

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, opposition from Somalia, the African Union and several regional powers highlights the sensitivity of the issue and the potential for further diplomatic fallout as Somaliland’s long quest for recognition enters a new phase.