Israel has formally recognised Somaliland, signing a joint declaration to establish full diplomatic relations and signalling plans for ambassadors and embassies. Somaliland President Abdirahman Cirro called the move historic and welcomed ties framed 'in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.' Somalia rejected the recognition and convened an urgent cabinet meeting. Analysts warn the step could set a transactional precedent for recognition and potentially embolden other separatist or de facto authorities.
Historic Breakthrough: Israel Becomes First Country To Recognise Somaliland And Establish Full Diplomatic Ties
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of Somaliland holds a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [Somaliland presidency]
Israel has become the first country in the world to formally recognise Somaliland, signing a joint declaration that establishes full diplomatic relations and paves the way for ambassadorial exchanges and embassies in both capitals.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the move on Friday, describing the agreement as made 'in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the decision followed a year of intensive dialogue and that his ministry would immediately institutionalise cooperation across a wide range of areas.
Netanyahu phoned Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Abdirahman Cirro) to congratulate him, praise his 'leadership and commitment to promoting stability and peace,' and invite him to visit Israel.
Official Reaction And Next Steps
According to Israeli statements, the joint declaration commits both sides to appoint ambassadors and open embassies. Saar said the two governments will collaborate to promote bilateral relations, regional stability and economic development.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Cirro called the recognition a 'historic moment' and said it marks the start of a strategic partnership that will advance mutual interests and strengthen regional peace and security.
Somalia, Regional Context And Responses
Somalia has consistently rejected Somaliland's 1991 unilateral declaration of independence. A Somali government source told Al Jazeera that the cabinet planned an urgent meeting to consider its response. Analysts warned the move could have broader regional consequences.
Jethro Norman, a Somalia specialist at the Danish Institute for International Studies, cautioned that recognition might be perceived as transactional—rewarding regions that offer strategic value—and could embolden other separatist or de facto authorities in politically fragmented states.
Background
Somaliland broke away from Somalia amid the civil war that followed the fall of Siad Barre's regime. While much of Somalia descended into instability, Somaliland largely stabilised by the late 1990s and developed its own institutions, currency, flag and parliament. Some eastern areas of Somaliland remain disputed by communities that oppose the separatist agenda centred in the capital, Hargeisa.
In recent years Somaliland sought international ties with actors such as the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan. In 2024, reports said Ethiopia had explored offering recognition in exchange for sea access for landlocked Addis Ababa but later stepped back after diplomatic pressure. Earlier speculation linked recognition efforts to initiatives mentioned in US political documents and to advocacy by some US politicians, but the United States has not changed its official position.
Implications
The recognition represents a dramatic shift in Somaliland's diplomatic standing after decades of limited formal recognition. It may open economic and security cooperation opportunities for Somaliland, but it also raises questions about precedent, regional stability and how other states will respond. The practical timeline for ambassadorial appointments and embassy openings was not detailed in the initial announcements.
What To Watch Next: Somalia's official response, reactions from other regional and international actors, and the concrete steps (ambassadors, embassies, bilateral agreements) that follow the declaration.
