In a landmark diplomatic move with significant implications for the Horn of Africa, Israel on Friday formally recognised the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. This decision makes Israel the first country in the world to grant such recognition, directly challenging Somalia's territorial integrity and potentially reshaping regional alliances.
A Declaration Backed by the Abraham Accords Spirit
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the recognition, framing it within the context of the Abraham Accords. He stated that the declaration aligns with the spirit of the accords, which were initiated during former US President Donald Trump's first term. Netanyahu confirmed that Israel would immediately seek cooperation with Somaliland in key sectors including agriculture, health, technology, and the economy.
In an official statement, Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland's President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership, and extended an invitation for him to visit Israel. The joint declaration of mutual recognition was signed by Netanyahu, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and President Abdullahi.
Responding to the move, President Abdullahi stated that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords framework. He described this step as a contribution towards regional and global peace, expressing Somaliland's commitment to building partnerships, enhancing mutual prosperity, and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa.
Swift Regional Condemnation and Support for Somalia
The recognition triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Somalia and several key regional actors. Egypt's Foreign Ministry disclosed that Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held urgent phone calls on Friday with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti to discuss what they termed "dangerous developments" in the Horn of Africa.
The ministers collectively condemned Israel's action. They reaffirmed their full support for Somalia's unity and territorial integrity. A statement from Cairo warned that recognising breakaway regions poses a tangible threat to international peace and security, highlighting the deep diplomatic rift the move has caused.
Somaliland's Long Quest for Recognition
Somaliland has functioned as an effectively autonomous region since 1991, when Somalia plunged into civil war. Over the past three decades, it has maintained its own government, currency, and security forces, enjoying relative peace and stability compared to the rest of Somalia. Despite this, it has failed to gain formal recognition from any UN member state until now.
The former British protectorate views Israel's recognition as a crucial diplomatic breakthrough. It hopes this decision will encourage other nations to follow suit, thereby increasing its diplomatic weight and improving its access to international markets and institutions.
For years, the federal government in Mogadishu has successfully rallied international support against any move to recognise Somaliland's independence, insisting on the inviolability of Somalia's borders. This development presents a direct challenge to that longstanding position.
Context of Regional Diplomacy and Past Denials
This recognition comes months after both Somalia and Somaliland, in March, denied receiving any proposal from the United States or Israel to resettle Palestinians from Gaza. At that time, Mogadishu had categorically rejected any such potential move, underscoring the complex and often contentious nature of external involvement in the region's affairs.
The Israeli statement positioned this step as an extension of the 2020 Abraham Accords, which originally saw Israel normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries joining later. By bringing Somaliland into this diplomatic fold, Israel is expanding its strategic footprint into a new and geopolitically significant part of Africa, setting the stage for potential further realignments.
