- Israel has officially recognised Somaliland as an independent state.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu says cooperation will begin immediately.
- Somaliland plans to join the Abraham Accords.
- Somalia has strongly rejected the move and vowed legal action.
Israel has become the first country in the world to officially recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a bold step that is already shaking political relations in the Horn of Africa.
The announcement was made on Friday and is expected to trigger strong regional and international reactions, especially from Somalia, which has long opposed Somaliland’s breakaway status.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the recognition, saying Israel would move quickly to work with Somaliland in key areas such as agriculture, health, technology, and the economy.
In his statement, Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership, and extended an invitation for him to visit Israel.
He added that the move aligns with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which were signed under former U.S. President Donald Trump and led to Israel normalising relations with several Arab states.
According to Israeli officials, Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and President Abdullahi signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition.
In response, Abdullahi welcomed the decision, saying Somaliland would officially join the Abraham Accords. He described the agreement as a step toward peace, cooperation, and economic growth across Africa and the Middle East.
He noted that Somaliland is eager to build strong partnerships and expand its global footprint after decades of diplomatic isolation.
Somalia strongly rejected Israel’s decision, calling it illegal and a direct attack on its sovereignty.
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, Mogadishu said it would pursue all diplomatic, political, and legal options under international law to protect its territorial integrity.
Egypt also stepped in, with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty holding urgent calls with officials from Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti. The countries warned that recognising breakaway regions could threaten peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
The African Union (AU) joined the criticism, restating its firm support for Somalia’s unity and internationally recognised borders.
The AU warned that recognising Somaliland could weaken regional stability and set a dangerous precedent across the continent.
Somaliland has operated as a self-governing region since 1991, maintaining relative peace and stability compared to the rest of Somalia. However, until now, no country had formally recognised it as a sovereign state.
Leaders in Somaliland hope Israel’s move will open the door for other nations, boost foreign investment, and allow access to international markets.
Earlier this year, both Somalia and Somaliland denied reports that they were involved in talks with the U.S. or Israel about resettling Palestinians from Gaza.
