Eurasia Press & News
Israel has formally recognized the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so and triggering strong reactions across the Horn of Africa. The move marks a diplomatic breakthrough for Somaliland, which has sought international recognition since breaking away from Somalia more than three decades ago.
Why It Matters
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recognition would open the door to immediate cooperation in areas including agriculture, health, technology and economic development.
What To Know
In a statement, Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to make an official visit to Israel. He said the declaration aligns with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements during President Donald Trump’s first term that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department via email on Friday afternoon for comment.
Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Abdullahi signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, according to Israel’s government. Saar later said embassies would be established in both countries and ambassadors appointed.
Abdullahi welcomed the decision, calling it a step toward greater regional and global peace. He said Somaliland intends to join the Abraham Accords and remains committed to building international partnerships, expanding economic opportunities and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa.
The announcement drew swift condemnation from Somalia and several regional powers. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke by phone with counterparts from Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss what they described as dangerous developments following Israel’s decision. The ministers reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and warned that recognizing breakaway regions threatens international peace and security.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, has operated with effective autonomy since 1991, when Somalia collapsed into civil war. It has maintained its own government, currency and security forces and has enjoyed relative stability compared with much of the region. Despite that, no country had previously granted it formal recognition.
Over the years, Somalia has lobbied international partners to block any recognition of Somaliland.
Both Somalia and Somaliland earlier this year denied reports that the United States or Israel had proposed resettling Palestinians from Gaza in the region, with Mogadishu saying it categorically rejected any such plan.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland comes as federal prosecutors in Minnesota have disclosed that a sprawling fraud investigation involving social-services programs may include billions of dollars in alleged bogus claims largely linked to members of the state’s Somali community, one of the largest in the United States.
The case, which has drawn national attention, has also fueled attacks from President Trump and intensified federal immigration enforcement in Somali-American neighborhoods. Minnesota is home to the nation’s largest concentration of Somali Americans, with estimates of roughly 80,000 to more than 100,000 residents in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.
What People Are Saying
Netanyahu wrote on X, “This declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump. I congratulated the President of Somaliland, Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallah, and praised his leadership and commitment to promoting stability and peace. I invited the President to pay an official visit to Israel. The President thanked me for this historic declaration and expressed appreciation for my achievements in fighting terrorism and advancing regional peace.”
Mohamed Farmaajo, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, wrote on X, “International law requires Israel to comply and respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Somalia. Recognizing a part of Somalia is a complete breach of this. Somaliland is an integral part of Somalia. Our people are firmly united in the defense of their sovereignty.”
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement, that it “condemns Israel’s actions as unlawful, an intervention in Somalia’s internal affairs, and a move aimed at regional instability. Türkiye reaffirms its support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and the will of all Somalis in deciding their future.”
Mark Dubowitz, CEO for The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), wrote on X, For those mocking why Israel would engage Somaliland: look at the map. Somaliland sits on the Gulf of Aden, next to the Bab el-Mandeb—a chokepoint for global trade and energy. Across the water are Iran-backed Houthis firing on Israel & shipping. Somaliland offers stability, ports, intelligence access, and a non-Iranian platform on the Red Sea. Similar reason why the U.S. has a military base in Djibouti.”
What Happens Next
Officials in the breakaway region hope Israel’s move will encourage other nations to follow, boosting Somaliland’s diplomatic standing and access to global markets.
