By TESFA-ALEM TEKLE
Israel has become the first country in the world to formally recognise the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign nation, a move that has generated intense international debate and reshaped geopolitical fault lines across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the historic decision on Friday, signing a declaration of mutual recognition with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
Netanyahu said the two countries will immediately expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture, health, technology, and economic development.
He also invited President Abdullahi to visit Israel and praised what he called the “historic friendship” between the two states.
In response, President Abdullahi hailed the recognition as a “historic moment” and reaffirmed Somaliland’s intention to join the Abraham Accords, signalling what he described as “a step toward regional and global peace”
International Backlash and Regional Concerns
The announcement has not been universally welcomed. Somalia’s federal government strongly condemned the recognition, calling it a “deliberate attack” on national sovereignty and a violation of international law.
Somalia’s foreign ministry said the move “seriously undermines regional peace and stability,” warning it could exacerbate political and security tensions across the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Several Muslim-majority states and regional organisations have echoed Mogadishu’s concerns.
Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have issued statements condemning the recognition as a threat to Somalia’s territorial integrity and a risky precedent under international law.
The Arab League described Israel’s move as a “clear violation of international law and a flagrant infringement” on Somalia’s sovereignty.
Turkey, a longstanding ally of Somalia, called the decision “overt interference in Somalia’s domestic affairs” and reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s unity.
Egypt convened discussions with counterparts from Turkey, Somalia, and Djibouti to reject the recognition and emphasise their shared commitment to territorial integrity.
Geostrategic Calculations
Analysts suggest that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland reflects deeper strategic interests, particularly the importance of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden — critical chokepoints for global maritime trade and regional security.
Some observers argue Jerusalem may be seeking new allies in the wider Red Sea arena amid ongoing tensions in Yemen and broader Middle Eastern dynamics.
The decision also comes at a time when Somaliland has intensified diplomatic engagements abroad in pursuit of formal recognition after decades of de facto autonomy since 1991.
Despite maintaining its own government, currency, and security forces for more than three decades, Somaliland had not previously secured official recognition from any United Nations member state.
Domestic and Online Reactions
The announcement has sparked passionate reactions on social media and among communities connected to the region.
Posts from Somali and Somaliland diaspora networks reveal a broad spectrum of opinion from celebration and hopes for economic opportunity to fears of increased instability and resentment toward the role of external powers in shaping the region’s future.
Potential Diplomatic Ripple Effects
While Israel’s recognition marks a historic break in international norms regarding Somaliland’s status, its broader impact remains uncertain.
Some experts believe the move could encourage other nations to consider recognising Somaliland, especially as strategic interests in the region evolve.
Others warn it may inflame regional tensions and challenge long-standing principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity upheld by the African Union and United Nations.
As diplomatic lines are redrawn, the coming weeks are likely to see intensified negotiations and responses from capitals around the world, each weighing the implications for regional security, international law, and the future of the Horn of Africa.
