Fri Dec 26 21:12:32 UTC 2025: News Article:
Israel First Nation to Recognize Somaliland, Drawing Ire of Somalia and Allies
Jerusalem, December 27, 2025 – In a move that could dramatically alter regional geopolitics, Israel has become the first country to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state. The announcement, made Friday, December 26th, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signals a deepening relationship between Israel and the breakaway region.
Netanyahu stated Israel would pursue immediate cooperation with Somaliland in key sectors including agriculture, health, technology, and the economy. He praised Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and invited him to visit Israel. Furthermore, Netanyahu positioned the declaration as “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” alluding to the Trump-era agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
President Abdullahi welcomed Israel’s recognition and announced Somaliland’s intention to join the Abraham Accords, hailing it as a step towards regional and global peace. He emphasized Somaliland’s commitment to building partnerships, fostering mutual prosperity, and promoting stability.
However, the announcement has sparked strong condemnation from Somalia and its allies. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held urgent phone calls with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti to discuss what they termed “dangerous developments” in the Horn of Africa. The ministers jointly condemned Israel’s action, reaffirming their support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, and warning that recognizing breakaway regions poses a threat to international peace and security.
Somaliland declared its independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Somali government and subsequent civil war. Despite maintaining relative peace and stability, and operating as an autonomous region, it has struggled to gain international recognition. Somaliland hopes that Israel’s move will encourage other nations to follow suit.
In March, both Somalia and Somaliland denied reports of any agreement with the United States or Israel to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, with Somalia firmly rejecting any such proposal.
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