TEL AVIV, Israel – Israel has formally recognised Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first United Nations member country to take the step and setting the stage for a potentially significant diplomatic shift in the Horn of Africa.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision after signing a mutual declaration with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi, establishing full diplomatic relations between the two sides.
The declaration allows for the opening of embassies and the exchange of ambassadors, marking the most concrete international recognition Somaliland has received since declaring independence more than three decades ago.
Speaking during a video call with President Abdilahi after the signing, Netanyahu described the move as historic and affirmed Israel’s support for Somaliland’s right to self-determination.
“I’m signing now, as we speak, Israel’s official recognition of Somaliland and its right to self-determination,” Netanyahu said, adding that the relationship presented “a great opportunity for expanding our partnership.”
The Republic of Somaliland Officially Recognized by the State of Israel.
Netanyahu said cooperation between Israel and Somaliland would span trade, agriculture and social development, and formally invited Abdilahi to visit Israel.
He also said he would relay Somaliland’s interest in joining the Abraham Accords to US President Donald Trump.
In response, Abdilahi hailed the recognition as a “great historical day,” saying senior government officials were present for the announcement and confirming his acceptance of the invitation to visit Israel at the earliest opportunity.
“Mr Prime Minister, I have accepted the invitation and I’m ready as soon as possible for that arrangement,” Abdilahi said.
The Prime Minister announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.Prime Minister Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Sa’ar, and the President of the Republic of Somaliland signed a joint and mutual declaration.
Somaliland is a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa, strategically located along the Gulf of Aden and bordering Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia.
It declared independence in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia’s central government and has since functioned as a de facto state, with its own institutions, currency, security forces and regular elections.
Despite its relative stability compared to the rest of Somalia, Somaliland has never received formal international recognition, with the global community continuing to regard it as part of the Somali state.
Somalia, which considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory, is expected to strongly oppose Israel’s decision.
The international community has historically backed Somalia’s territorial integrity, and the African Union has been reluctant to endorse Somaliland’s secession over concerns about regional stability.
However, analysts say Israel’s move could prompt fresh debate among its allies and other international actors on how to engage with Somaliland, potentially altering long-standing diplomatic calculations.
Formal recognition by a UN member state is expected to bolster Somaliland’s sovereignty claims and could pave the way for increased foreign investment, development assistance and deeper international engagement in the breakaway region.
