Israel Becomes First Country to Recognise Somaliland as Independent State

Israel on Friday formally recognized the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so and triggering immediate diplomatic backlash across the Horn of Africa.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would move quickly to establish cooperation with Somaliland in key sectors including agriculture, healthcare, technology and economic development. In an official statement, Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and extended an invitation for an official visit to Israel.

Netanyahu described the recognition as being aligned with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreements initiated during President Donald Trump’s first term that led to Israel normalising relations with several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

According to Israeli officials, Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and President Abdullahi signed a joint declaration formalizing mutual recognition between Israel and Somaliland.

In response, President Abdullahi welcomed the decision and announced Somaliland’s intention to join the Abraham Accords. He described the move as a step toward broader regional and global peace, stating that Somaliland aims to strengthen partnerships, enhance shared prosperity and contribute to stability across both Africa and the Middle East.

The announcement prompted swift reaction from Egypt, which said its foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, held phone conversations with counterparts in Somalia, Türkiye and Djibouti to address what they described as serious developments in the Horn of Africa.

In a statement, Egypt’s foreign ministry said the ministers rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reiterated their full support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, and warned that recognizing secessionist regions risks undermining international peace and security.

Somaliland has operated with de facto autonomy since 1991, when Somalia collapsed into civil war. While it has maintained relative stability, its declaration of independence has never been recognized internationally, with Somalia consistently opposing any such move.

Mogadishu has long mobilized diplomatic pressure to prevent international recognition of Somaliland, arguing that the territory remains an integral part of Somalia under international law.

Somaliland officials have expressed hope that Israel’s recognition will encourage other countries to follow, potentially expanding its diplomatic standing and access to international trade and investment.

Earlier this year, both Somalia and Somaliland denied reports suggesting discussions with the United States or Israel about resettling Palestinians from Gaza in the region, with Somalia firmly rejecting any such proposal.