Jerusalem, December 28: Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia, marking a historic diplomatic breakthrough after more than 30 years without international recognition.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel and Somaliland had signed a joint declaration establishing full diplomatic relations, describing the move as being “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” a series of U.S.-brokered deals that have seen Israel establish ties with Arab states.
Somalia condemned the recognition, calling it an “attack” on its sovereignty and an “unlawful action,” and reiterated that Somaliland is an “inseparable” part of the country. Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, joined a call with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkiye, and Djibouti, who also voiced support for Somalia’s unity.
The recognition is a major shift for Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 following the Somali civil war but has failed to gain recognition from any United Nations member state. Somaliland controls the northwestern portion of what was once the British Protectorate in northern Somalia and has developed a distinct political identity with its own currency, flag, and parliament.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the agreement followed a year of extensive dialogue and would include the appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies in both countries. He said the partnership aims to promote bilateral relations, regional stability, and economic prosperity.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Abdirahman Cirro, welcomed the recognition as a “historic moment” and expressed readiness for Somaliland to join the Abraham Accords.
In recent years, Somaliland has cultivated international ties with the United Arab Emirates, a signatory to the Abraham Accords, and Taiwan as it sought broader recognition. Prominent U.S. Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz, have advocated for closer ties between Somaliland and Israel.
The move drew criticism from Somalia and regional partners, who warned that recognising Somaliland sets a “dangerous precedent” and violates the UN Charter. Analysts said the development could embolden other autonomous regions in Somalia and signals that international recognition may increasingly become transactional for strategic value.
Puntland’s interior minister, Juha Farah, said patience pays off and indicated that Somaliland’s recognition could influence strategic calculations in other Somali regions.
