On 26 December 2025, the State of Israel formally recognized the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, making it the first country and United Nations member state to do so since Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signed a joint declaration establishing full diplomatic relations. Indeed, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has made the headlines for more than a few reasons.
According to Netanyahu, “this declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump,” and announced plans to begin immediate collaboration with Somaliland in key sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, technology, and economic development. The Abraham Accords were a series of agreements signed in 2020 that normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, aiming to promote the further normalization of ties. Somaliland’s president hailed the move as a “historic moment” that could strengthen regional peace and expand economic and diplomatic opportunities for his long-isolated territory. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, despite the reactions, could indeed serve as its economic lifeline. [Reuters]
The recognition immediately triggered a major international backlash. The Federal Republic of Somalia condemned the move, describing it as a blatant breach of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud labeled Israel’s recognition a “naked invasion” and affirmed that Somalia would pursue diplomatic, political, and legal avenues to preserve its unity. Somalia’s parliament unanimously passed a resolution declaring the recognition “null and void,” and Somali demonstrators in Mogadishu protested in large numbers, chanting “Somalia is indivisible”, “Somaliland is Somalia” and denouncing the Israeli government for infringing on what they assert is sovereign territory. [The Business Standard, Al Jazeera, Middle East Monitor]
Numerous regional and global organizations and states reinforced opposition to the recognition. The African Union reaffirmed its unwavering support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, warning that recognizing breakaway regions weakens peace and stability across the continent. The Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a joint statement condemning the move as a serious violation of international law and insisting that sovereign borders must be respected. Foreign ministers from countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey took part in coordinated denunciations, highlighting that the recognition sets a “serious repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.” [Arab News]
Somaliland’s claim to statehood has deep historical and legal roots. On 26 June 1960, the former British Somaliland protectorate officially became the independent State of Somaliland, recognized by around 35 countries. Just five days later, on 1 July 1960, it willingly merged with the Trust Territory of Somalia (formerly Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic. However, this union lacked legal legitimacy. Somaliland and Somalia passed different versions of the Act of Union and a 1961 constitutional referendum in the north recorded over 60% opposition.
In December 1961, a coup attempt by British-trained Somaliland military officers led to a British judge’s acquittal of the plotters on the grounds that no valid union existed, highlighting serious legal flaws in the merger. Thus, Somaliland has strong grounds to be recognized as a sovereign country. Since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, it has established stable, functioning institutions, including its own government, currency, security forces, and plurality of democratic elections, unlike the ongoing instability in Somalia. Recognizing Somaliland would respect its right to self-determination under international law and give it access to global organizations, aid, and economic partnerships, opportunities it has earned through over 30 years of stable and peaceful governance.
Major global powers also weighed in, with China reiterating its support for Somalia’s unity and stating that no country should back separatist movements for its own interests, and the United Kingdom following suit by reaffirming its non-recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. The European Union expressed respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and called for direct dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa. The United States clarified that its policy had not changed and that it had no plans to recognize Somaliland, although U.S. representatives at the United Nations emphasized that all sovereign states have the right to establish diplomatic relations as they see fit, highlighting inconsistent approaches to recognition issues globally. [Reuters, DW]
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland gives Jerusalem a powerful strategic foothold on the Gulf of Aden, just across from Houthi-controlled Yemen, offering Israel a forward base to enhance maritime security, intelligence gathering, and counterterrorism operations along one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, including the Bab el‑Mandeb chokepoint. It also opens chances for Israel to work with Somaliland on agriculture, technology, and healthcare. By extending its presence into the Horn of Africa, Israel positions itself to counterbalance Turkey’s growing influence in Somalia, where Ankara has built military bases, training centers, and deep security ties, thus reshaping regional power dynamics in the Red Sea corridor. This move represents broader geopolitics- a subtle pushback against Qatar and Turkey’s sway in Mogadishu, aligning with UAE interests in Berbera’s port, and helping Israel strengthen its partnerships in Africa through the Abraham Accords.
In conclusion, while Israel’s recognition of Somaliland represents a historic diplomatic shift that breaks a long-standing international impasse over Somaliland’s status, it has also triggered significant opposition from Somalia, regional blocs such as the African Union and Arab League, major world powers, and civil society groups, raising contentious questions about sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law, and regional stability that are likely to dominate diplomatic discussions in the coming months.
Verification Note: This report is based on publicly available news sources, official statements, and credible analyses as of December 2025. Information from unreliable, exaggerated, or unverified sources has been excluded to ensure accuracy and objectivity.
Afiya Ibnath Ayshi is a Security and Strategic Reporting Fellow at Bangladesh Defence Journal. She covers defence, foreign affairs, and humanitarian issues, focusing on how regional and global developments influence Bangladesh’s security and diplomacy. A graduate in English from the University of Dhaka, she brings a research-based and balanced approach to her work.