MOGADISHU, 27 December 2025 – Israel has formally recognised the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a landmark diplomatic move that could reshape political alignments across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
The announcement was made on Friday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the signing of a joint declaration with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro). The agreement lays the groundwork for full diplomatic relations, including the exchange of ambassadors and the opening of embassies in both capitals.
“This recognition marks a seminal and historic moment, and a great opportunity to expand our partnership,” Netanyahu said in a statement, describing the decision as part of Israel’s broader push to build new regional alliances.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government, has operated for more than three decades with its own administration, security forces, currency and electoral system. Despite relative stability and repeated elections, it has never before received formal recognition from a United Nations member state.
For Somaliland’s leadership, Israel’s decision represents a long-sought diplomatic breakthrough. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi welcomed the move as historic, thanking Netanyahu and expressing hope for cooperation that promotes “peace and prosperity.”
Netanyahu framed the agreement as an opening for deeper engagement, inviting President Abdillahi to visit Israel and highlighting potential cooperation in security, trade, agriculture, health and technology. Israeli officials said the declaration was signed “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” referencing Israel’s recent normalisation agreements with several Arab states.
The reaction from Somalia was swift and angry. Mogadishu condemned the recognition, reiterating that Somaliland remains part of its sovereign territory and rejecting any external move that undermines Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Several regional states echoed that stance. Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti issued statements condemning Israel’s decision, warning that recognition could fuel secessionist movements and increase instability in an already fragile region.
Diplomats and analysts say the move risks complicating relations between Horn of Africa countries and key international partners, particularly as geopolitical competition intensifies around maritime security and trade routes.
Israel’s interest is widely seen as strategic. Somaliland sits along the Gulf of Aden, close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and a corridor for global commerce. The area has gained heightened significance amid tensions linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement and broader Red Sea security challenges.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the two sides would work together to strengthen regional stability and economic cooperation, suggesting that security coordination could become a key pillar of the new relationship.
Supporters in Hargeisa argue that recognition by Israel could open the door to wider international acceptance, foreign investment and eventual membership in global institutions. Critics, however, warn that the precedent could embolden separatist claims elsewhere and deepen regional rivalries.
As reactions continue to unfold, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland stands as one of the most consequential diplomatic developments in the Horn of Africa in decades, with implications likely to extend well beyond the region.
