Israel is the first nation to legally acknowledge Somaliland as a sovereign nation

Israel became the first nation to publicly acknowledge the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday. This move has the potential to alter regional dynamics and put Somalia’s long-standing resistance to secession to the test.

Israel will look for quick collaboration with Somaliland in the fields of agriculture, health, technology, and economics, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a statement, he offered to visit Israel, congratulated Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the president of Somaliland, and commended his leadership.

The statement “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump,” according to Netanyahu.

Israel formalized diplomatic ties with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as part of the 2020 accords, which were mediated by Trump’s first term. Other nations joined subsequently.

According to the Israeli statement, Netanyahu, Gideon Saar, the foreign minister, and the president of Somaliland signed a joint proclamation of mutual recognition.

Somaliland will join the Abraham Accords, according to a statement from Abdullahi, who described it as a step toward regional and international peace. He declared that Somaliland was dedicated to forming alliances, fostering mutual prosperity, and advancing stability throughout the Middle East and Africa.

In contrast, the prime minister’s office issued a statement denouncing Israel’s action as a “deliberate attack” on Somaliland and a “unlawful step” that violates Somalia’s sovereignty.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a joint news conference with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (not pictured) after a three-way meeting at the Citadel of David Hotel in Jerusalem. 

“The federal government affirms its determination to pursue all necessary diplomatic, political, and legal measures, in accordance with international law, to defend its sovereignty, unity, and internationally recognized borders,” read the press release.

Following Israel’s declaration, Egypt claims that Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke over the phone Friday with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti about what they called “dangerous developments in the Horn of Africa.”

According to Egypt’s foreign ministry, the ministers reiterated their unwavering support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, denounced Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, and cautioned that acknowledging breakaway territories constituted a threat to global peace and security.

In addition, the chair of the AU Commission stated that the African Union rejected any recognition of Somaliland, reiterating its “unwavering commitment” to Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and cautioning that such actions could jeopardize peace and stability throughout the continent.

Since Somalia entered a civil conflict in 1991, Somaliland has had functional autonomy as well as comparatively peaceful and stable conditions; nonetheless, no other nation has acknowledged the breakaway area.

Somalia has organized international actors against any nation that recognizes Somaliland over the years.

By encouraging other countries to recognize Israel, the former British protectorate seeks to gain more access to worldwide markets and diplomatic clout.

In March, Mogadishu declared that it unequivocally rejected any request to transfer Palestinians from Gaza, while Somalia and Somaliland denied receiving any such proposal from the United States or Israel.