Israel Recognises Somaliland: A Historic Breakthrough Amid Global Backlash
On December 26, 2025, Israel became the first country in the world to formally recognise the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a move that has sent shockwaves through international diplomacy and ignited controversy across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the landmark decision, signing a joint declaration of mutual recognition with Somaliland’s President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, establishing full diplomatic relations between the two governments. Netanyahu said Israel would pursue cooperation with Somaliland in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, technology, and economic development.
Netanyahu described the recognition as being “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” the diplomatic framework that has expanded Israel’s ties with countries in the Middle East and North Africa since 2020. Somaliland’s leadership quickly welcomed the decision, describing it as a “historic moment” and expressing readiness to join the Abraham Accords, which Israel said would promote peace and prosperity across regions.
Somaliland is a self-declared republic in the northwest of Somalia that broke away following the collapse of Mogadishu’s central government in 1991. For more than three decades, it has operated with its own government, currency, armed forces, and elections, but no United Nations member state had recognised its independence until now.
Despite its effective autonomy and relative stability compared with much of Somalia, the international community has consistently upheld Somalia’s territorial integrity, viewing Somaliland as part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The reaction from world capitals was swift and overwhelmingly critical. Somalia’s government condemned the recognition, calling it an “unlawful step” and a “deliberate attack on its sovereignty.” Mogadishu declared the move “null and void” and vowed to pursue diplomatic, political, and legal measures to defend its territorial integrity.
Regional powers echoed these concerns. The African Union warned that recognising Somaliland sets a “dangerous precedent” that could undermine peace and stability across the continent. Arab League officials and numerous countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Kuwait, described Israel’s action as a violation of international law and a threat to the principle of sovereign unity.
Several multilateral bodies and blocs, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),have also rejected the move, reaffirming support for Somalia’s recognized borders.
Somaliland sits along the Gulf of Aden and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic chokepoint for global shipping and international security. Its location has long attracted interest from global powers and regional actors, including the United Arab Emirates, which has invested heavily in infrastructure and port facilities there.
Some analysts view Israel’s recognition as part of a broader geopolitical strategy to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa and strengthen partnerships along critical maritime routes. However, critics argue the move could exacerbate regional tensions and destabilise fragile political balances.
The diplomatic crisis has had reverberations inside Somalia itself. Efforts by the federal government to forge a unified domestic front against Israel’s recognition faltered amid political disagreements with opposition leaders, reflecting deep political divisions at a moment of national strain.
With Israel’s decision now a reality, the international community faces a complex diplomatic landscape.
Somalia has reportedly requested an emergency session at the United Nations Security Council to address the crisis, while Somaliland is expected to continue pushing for broader recognition and deeper international engagement.
Source: Ebenezer Adu / Emmanuel Ayiku
