Israel Officially Recognizes Somaliland
Jerusalem, Israel | December 27, 2025
Israel on Friday officially recognized Somaliland as an independent country, becoming the first nation in the world to grant formal recognition to the self-declared state in the Horn of Africa.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praising his leadership and commitment to peace and stability in the region. Netanyahu described the move as a historic milestone in relations between the two sides.
🗣️ Netanyahu Calls Move Historic
In his message to the Somaliland president, Netanyahu said the recognition would open new diplomatic and economic opportunities for both countries. He emphasized that Israel views Somaliland as a partner committed to regional stability and development.
The Israeli prime minister said the decision reflects Israel’s broader regional strategy and long-term vision for expanding partnerships beyond the Middle East.
❓ What Is Somaliland and Why Does It Matter?
To understand the significance of Israel’s decision, it is important to understand what Somaliland is.
Somaliland is located in the Horn of Africa, along the Red Sea corridor, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade routes. The region briefly gained independence in 1960 before voluntarily uniting with Somalia later that year.
⚔️ Why Did Somaliland Separate From Somalia?
In 1991, as Somalia descended into a prolonged civil war, Somaliland re-declared independence. Since then, it has operated with its own president, government, currency, and security forces.
While Somalia has faced decades of instability, Somaliland has remained relatively peaceful, holding elections and maintaining a functioning democratic system, though it has lacked formal international recognition—until now.
✍️ How Israel Took the Decision
The recognition document was signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on behalf of Israel. Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi approved the agreement for Somaliland.
Netanyahu described the moment as historic during a phone conversation with the Somaliland leader, saying the decision would strengthen bilateral ties and unlock new economic opportunities.
🤝 Future Areas of Cooperation
Following recognition, Israel and Somaliland are expected to expand cooperation in areas such as:
Economic development
Agriculture
Social and infrastructure development
Netanyahu also invited President Abdullahi to visit Israel, an invitation the Somaliland leader said he would accept soon.
🌐 Why the Recognition Is Significant
Israel’s move is widely seen as part of its regional diplomatic strategy. Netanyahu said the decision aligns with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, launched in 2020 with U.S. support under former President Donald Trump.
Under the Abraham Accords, Israel normalized relations with the UAE, Bahrain, and later Morocco. Somaliland has previously expressed interest in joining a similar framework.
🌍 Global Reaction and Diplomatic Impact
So far, no other country has formally recognized Somaliland. However, it maintains informal relations with nations including the UK, Ethiopia, Turkey, the UAE, Denmark, Kenya, and Taiwan.
Israel’s recognition is being viewed as a major diplomatic breakthrough for Somaliland, potentially paving the way for broader international acceptance and reshaping political dynamics in Africa and the Middle East.
