Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a diplomatic breakthrough for the country nestled in the Horn of Africa.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, after a decade-long war of independence led by the Somali National Movement (SNM) against dictator Siad Barre’s regime.
But the country lacks widespread international recognition as an independent state despite functioning with its own government, currency, military, and elections. It is viewed by most countries and the United Nations (UN) as part of Somalia.
Somalia has also never accepted Somaliland’s independence.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel and Somaliland had signed a joint declaration establishing full diplomatic relations.
“This declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump,” he said.
Netanyahu did not give further details on what informed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, but both countries hold shared strategic interests in Red Sea security and regional stability.
Somaliland has a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden, a territory where Israel seeks a foothold to counter Houthi and Iranian threats.
In recent years, Somaliland has also developed ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – a signatory to the Abraham Accords – and Taiwan as it seeks international acceptance.
In August, Trump signalled that he was preparing to act on the issue when asked about Somaliland during a White House news conference.
“Another complex one, but we’re working on that one, Somaliland,” he said.
The US, as yet, has not changed its position on the issue.
Meanwhile, Hamza Abdi Barre, Somalia’s prime minister, said his country categorically and unequivocally rejects what he calls a deliberate attack by Israel on its sovereignty.
