Wayne Lumbasi
Israel has formally recognised Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state in a major diplomatic breakthrough that could reshape political dynamics in the Horn of Africa. The announcement followed the signing of a mutual declaration between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, a process initiated with the support of US President Donald Trump.
The recognition makes Israel the first United Nations member state to officially acknowledge Somaliland’s sovereignty, ending more than three decades of international non-recognition since the territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Israeli officials described the move as both a strategic and principled decision, citing Somaliland’s relative stability, democratic governance, and importance to regional security.
Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the declaration as a historic step, saying the partnership reflects shared interests in security, trade, and technological cooperation. He emphasized Somaliland’s strategic location along key Red Sea and Gulf of Aden maritime routes, noting that closer ties would enhance regional stability and safeguard global shipping lanes.
President Abdirahman welcomed Israel’s recognition as a long-awaited validation of Somaliland’s political maturity and self-governance. He said the agreement opens a new chapter in Somaliland’s international relations and could accelerate economic development, foreign investment, and diplomatic engagement.
The deal was framed by officials in Jerusalem and Washington DC as consistent with President Trump’s foreign policy approach, which emphasizes bilateral agreements, regional partnerships, and pragmatic diplomacy. The initiative echoes the spirit of the Abraham Accords, under which Trump’s administration expanded Israel’s diplomatic ties beyond the Middle East.
Somalia strongly condemned the recognition, insisting Somaliland remains part of its sovereign territory. Several regional actors, including Egypt, Turkey, and Djibouti, also voiced concern, warning that recognising breakaway regions could undermine territorial integrity and fuel instability in the Horn of Africa.
For Somaliland, the recognition represents its most significant diplomatic achievement since declaring independence. For Israel and the United States, it underscores a broader strategy to deepen influence in Africa and strengthen alliances in geopolitically vital regions at a time of shifting global power dynamics.
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