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Israel on Friday formally recognised Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state”, becoming the first country to do so and setting off a wave of criticism from Somalia, the African Union (AU) and several regional powers. The move has revived global debate around the status of the self-governing territory in the Horn of Africa, which has sought international recognition for more than three decades.
The announcement was made by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which confirmed that Israel and Somaliland had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, including the exchange of ambassadors and the opening of embassies.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi welcomed the decision, calling it a “historic moment” and describing Israel as a new strategic partner. Netanyahu, speaking to Abdullahi over the phone, said he was “very proud of this day” and extended his wishes to the people of Somaliland.
What Is Somaliland?
Somaliland is a self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa that broke away from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. Located in north-western Somalia and bordering Djibouti and Ethiopia, the region has operated as a de facto state for more than 30 years.
Despite lacking international recognition, Somaliland has its own elected government, constitution, currency, security forces and passports. It has held multiple elections and has remained relatively stable, even as much of southern Somalia has struggled with civil war, political instability and the threat posed by the extremist group Al-Shabaab.
Why Recognition Matters
Somaliland’s lack of recognition has limited its access to international loans, foreign aid and large-scale investment, contributing to widespread poverty despite its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden. The waterway is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, linking the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
Israel’s recognition is being seen as a diplomatic breakthrough for Somaliland, though it also risks deepening regional tensions. Netanyahu indicated he would convey Somaliland’s interest in joining the Abraham Accords, under which Israel normalised ties with several Arab states.
Trump Opposes Bibi's Move
President Donald Trump said he opposed US recognition of Somaliland in an interview with the New York Post published Friday. Following Israel's announcement, US President Donald Trump questioned whether anyone know “what is Somaliland". As quoted by the New York Post, Trump replied, “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?"
Somalia reacted sharply, calling Israel’s decision a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty. The African Union rejected the move, reiterating that Somaliland “remains an integral part” of Somalia and warning that recognition could set a dangerous precedent for secessionist movements across Africa.
Turkey, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority also criticised Israel’s decision, expressing support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. The United States has publicly ruled out recognising Somaliland, with President Donald Trump remarking that Washington would not follow Israel’s lead.
Thus, for now, Israel stands alone in recognising Somaliland. Whether other countries follow suit remains uncertain, but the decision has ensured that Somaliland’s long-running quest for statehood is once again firmly on the global diplomatic agenda.