Israel becomes first country to officially recognise Somaliland

By Newsflash Team and Agencies

Israel has become the first country globally to officially recognise Somaliland, bringing to an end the self-declared republic’s more than 30-year struggle for international acknowledgement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel and Somaliland had formalised full diplomatic relations through a joint declaration. Netanyahu said the agreement was reached “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords”, the regional normalisation framework advanced under former United States President Donald Trump.

Breakthrough after decades of isolation

The decision marks a historic milestone for Somaliland, which proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. Despite operating as a de facto state for decades, Somaliland had previously failed to secure recognition from any member of the United Nations.

Somaliland controls the northwestern territory of what was once the British Protectorate in northern Somalia. While Somalia has never accepted the region’s secession, Somaliland has maintained relative stability since the late 1990s, even as much of Somalia remained mired in conflict and political instability.

A senior Somali government source told Al Jazeera that Mogadishu was expected to convene an emergency cabinet meeting on Friday evening to determine its response. Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, also held consultations with his counterparts from Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti, during which they reaffirmed their collective support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and unity.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, held a video call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Abdirahman Cirro. During the conversation, the Israeli leader congratulated Cirro, commending his “leadership and dedication to advancing stability and peace,” and extended an invitation for an official visit to Israel.

Diplomatic ties and strategic interests

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the recognition followed nearly a year of sustained engagement between the two sides. He noted that the move was the result of a joint decision by Netanyahu and Cirro to establish comprehensive diplomatic relations, including the exchange of ambassadors and the opening of embassies in both countries.

“We will work together to strengthen relations between our peoples, enhance regional stability and advance economic prosperity,” Saar said in a post on social media, adding that he had directed his ministry to rapidly institutionalise cooperation across multiple sectors.

Cirro described Israel’s recognition as a “historic moment” and signalled Somaliland’s willingness to join the Abraham Accords. He said the step ushered in “the beginning of a strategic partnership that promotes shared interests, reinforces regional peace and security, and delivers mutual benefits to all parties involved.”

The move represents a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Somaliland, which has spent decades in diplomatic limbo. Although it has its own currency, flag, elected parliament and security forces, the territory has remained excluded from international institutions. Internal challenges also persist, particularly in eastern regions where some communities oppose the secessionist agenda driven from the capital, Hargeisa.

In recent years, Somaliland has sought to broaden its international footprint by cultivating relations with the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan, positioning itself as a stable and reliable partner in a volatile region.

Regional ripple effects and wider implications

Speculation had circulated for months that Trump would push for Somaliland’s recognition, with the territory even referenced in the conservative Project 2025 policy blueprint. However, no formal step was taken until Israel’s announcement.

Several prominent Republican figures, including US Senator Ted Cruz, have openly advocated stronger ties between Israel and Somaliland. Cruz has repeatedly urged Washington to recognise Somaliland, often claiming—without elaboration—that the region is strongly pro-Israel.

In August, Trump hinted at possible action when questioned about Somaliland during a White House press briefing. “Another complicated one, but we’re working on that one, Somaliland,” he said. The United States has so far maintained its longstanding position in support of Somalia’s territorial integrity.

The announcement comes at a time of waning US engagement with Somalia, with Trump having previously launched verbal attacks against the country and its leadership. Earlier this year, unverified reports linked potential recognition of Somaliland to proposals for resettling Palestinians from Gaza, though those claims never evolved into concrete policy.

In 2024, Ethiopia also explored a deal with Somaliland, offering diplomatic recognition in exchange for access to the Red Sea. Addis Ababa later abandoned the initiative following intense regional and international pressure.

Jethro Norman, a Somalia specialist at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told Al Jazeera that while Israel’s move may not immediately trigger a wave of recognitions, it could “embolden other centrifugal forces” within Somalia’s already fragmented political landscape.

Somalia operates under a federal system that grants substantial autonomy to its member states. However, Puntland and Jubaland—two influential regions—have recently withdrawn from the framework amid disputes over constitutional reforms and electoral processes.

In a post on X, Puntland’s interior minister, Juha Farah, appeared to welcome the development, writing that patience can yield results. “#Puntland needs to calculate strategically,” he said.

“Essentially, Somalia already consists of multiple de facto states, and Israel’s signal is that recognition can become transactional—based on strategic value—rather than purely principled,” Farah added.