Israel has made history by becoming the first nation to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent sovereign state, a significant step in Somaliland’s long-standing quest for international recognition since it declared independence from Somalia 34 years ago. The announcement was made by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Friday, highlighting a newly signed agreement that establishes full diplomatic relations, which will involve the opening of embassies and the appointment of ambassadors between the two territories.
This recognition marks a pivotal moment for Somaliland, which has operated as a de facto state in the north-west of Somalia since its declaration of independence in 1991, yet has not received acknowledgment from any United Nations member states until now. Situated at the north-west tip of Somalia, Somaliland is bordered by Djibouti to the north-west and Ethiopia to the west and south.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office indicated that this diplomatic advancement aligns with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, agreements reached in 2020 aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states. In a video call, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended an invitation to Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to visit Israel, describing their friendship as historic, while Abdullahi expressed eagerness to make the trip to Jerusalem.
However, the move has provoked a backlash, particularly from Somalia’s foreign ministry, which branded the recognition as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty that threatens regional peace. This sentiment was echoed by the African Union, which firmly rejected Israel’s move and warned it could destabilize the continent. The AU emphasized that Somaliland is considered an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Criticism also came from nations like Egypt and Turkey, which accused Israel of interfering in Somalia’s internal matters through its recognition of Somaliland. Furthermore, US perspectives on the issue appear divided; some officials express concerns that recognizing Somaliland could disrupt military cooperation with Somalia, where US forces currently assist in combating the militant group al-Shabaab.
Analysts in Israel have suggested that recognizing Somaliland might align with the nation’s strategic interests, particularly given its proximity to Yemen, a country where Israel has conducted military operations against Houthi rebels. Reports have indicated that Somaliland’s territory could potentially serve various Israeli intelligence and military purposes.
The strategic discussions between Israel and Somaliland have been ongoing for over a year, leading to the current diplomatic advancements. The territory, which boasts a population of approximately 6.2 million, operates under a democratic governance framework and has witnessed peaceful transitions of power, although there are ongoing concerns about the political rights and civic freedoms of its citizens.
Despite the challenges and opposition, Somaliland’s aspirations for international recognition could usher in a new era of diplomatic engagement and development, as its leadership remains optimistic about gaining further international support.