Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland as sovereign state
Israel has made history by becoming the first nation to acknowledge Somaliland as an independent state, marking a significant achievement in its quest for global recognition since declaring independence from Somalia 34 years ago. The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, disclosed on Friday that an agreement had been signed between Israel and Somaliland to establish full diplomatic relations, which will involve the opening of embassies and the appointment of ambassadors. This recognition is a monumental event for Somaliland, which proclaimed its independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been acknowledged by any UN member states until now. Somaliland occupies the north-western part of Somalia, where it functions as a de facto state, bordered by Djibouti to the north-west and Ethiopia to the west and south. The Israeli prime minister’s office remarked that the declaration was “in the spirit” of the Abraham accords, a set of normalization agreements signed in 2020 between Israel and predominantly Arab nations. A video was shared showing Benjamin Netanyahu in a video call with Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, where he invited him to visit Israel and characterized the relationship between the two nations as “historic.” Abdullahi expressed his eagerness to be in Jerusalem “as soon as possible.” Donald Trump expressed his opposition to US recognition of Somaliland in an interview with the New York Post published on Friday, asking: “Does anyone really know what Somaliland is?” The US government is reportedly divided over recognizing Somaliland, with some expressing concerns that it could jeopardize military collaboration with Somalia. The US maintains troops there to assist Somali forces in their ongoing battle against the al-Shabaab Islamist group. Somalia’s foreign ministry released a statement calling the decision a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty, which it claims would disrupt regional peace, a viewpoint also shared by the African Union (AU). The AU stated it “firmly rejects” Israel’s action, cautioning: “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia … risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.” Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the AU’s head, stated that Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” which is a member of the AU. Israel’s decision was also criticized by Egypt and Turkey, who declared in a statement: “This initiative by Israel, which aligns with its expansionist policy and its efforts to do everything to prevent the recognition of a Palestinian state, constitutes overt interference in Somalia’s domestic affairs.” Sa’ar mentioned that the recognition came following a year of negotiations between the two nations, and he instructed Israel’s foreign ministry to promptly “institutionalize ties between the two countries.” Israeli analysts suggest that recognizing the breakaway region could benefit Israel strategically, considering Somaliland’s close proximity to Yemen, where Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes against Houthi rebels over the past two years. A report from November by the Institute for National Security Studies, an Israeli think tank, indicated: “Somaliland’s territory could serve as a forward base for multiple missions: intelligence monitoring of the Houthis and their armament efforts; logistical support for Yemen’s legitimate government in its war against them; and a platform for direct operations against the Houthis.” The Somaliland administration already accommodates a military base operated by the United Arab Emirates in Berbera, which features a military port and an airstrip designed for fighter jets and transport aircraft. Analysts believe that this base plays a crucial role in the UAE’s anti-Houthi operations in Yemen. In May, Somaliland’s president disclosed that US military officials, including the highest-ranking officer in the Horn of Africa, had visited Somaliland, and that another US delegation was anticipated soon. “It’s a question of time. Not if, but when and who will extend recognition to Somaliland,” Abdullahi shared with the Guardian. Project 2025, released in 2023 and purportedly influencing much of Donald Trump’s second administration’s policies, advocated for recognizing Somaliland as a “hedge against the US’s weakening position in Djibouti,” where Chinese influence is on the rise. This August, Texas Republican senator Ted Cruz reached out to Trump requesting him to recognize Somaliland. Cruz claimed that Somaliland is an ally of Israel and has shown support for the Abraham accords. Somaliland is home to a population exceeding 6.2 million. The breakaway region has a democratic governance system that has featured peaceful transitions of power, yet the Washington-based non-profit organization Freedom House has pointed out an “erosion of political rights and civic space” in recent years, with journalists and opposition figures experiencing repression from authorities.
Published: 2025-12-27 02:14:00
source: www.theguardian.com
