Somalia, Turkey, Egypt, AU condemn Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region

Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state” on Friday triggered strong reactions across Africa and the Middle East, with Somalia and the African Union warning the move threatens regional stability. Israel became the first country to extend such recognition to the northern region, which broke away from Somalia more than three decades ago.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has long sought international recognition, a priority for President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi since he took office last year. Somalia’s foreign ministry described Israel’s decision as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty that could undermine peace, while several other countries also condemned the move. The African Union said it “firmly rejects” Israel’s action, warning, “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia…risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.” AU Commission Chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia”, an AU member state.

Diplomatic reactions and celebrations

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had announced “the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state”, adding that the declaration was “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords”. The statement said Netanyahu had invited Abdullahi to visit.

US President Donald Trump, when asked by the New York Post about US recognition of Somaliland, replied “no” and added, “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?”

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Abdullahi welcomed Israel’s decision, saying in a post on X that it marked the start of a “strategic partnership”. “This is a historic moment as we warmly welcome,” he said, affirming “Somaliland’s readiness to join the Abraham Accords.” In Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, crowds took to the streets to celebrate, many carrying the flag of the breakaway state, according to sources.

Allies denounce Israel 

Turkey, a close ally of Somalia, also condemned the move. “This initiative by Israel, which aligns with its expansionist policy…constitutes overt interference in Somalia’s domestic affairs,” Turkey’s foreign ministry said. Egypt’s foreign ministry said its top diplomat had spoken with counterparts from Turkey, Somalia and Djibouti, who jointly condemned the decision and stressed “full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia”.

In a video of Netanyahu speaking to Abdullahi by telephone, the Israeli leader said the relationship could bring economic opportunities. “I am very, very happy and I am very proud of this day and I want to wish you and the people of Somaliland the very, very best,” Netanyahu said.

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Strategic calculations

A self-proclaimed republic, Somaliland occupies a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passports and army but has faced decades of isolation since 1991. Analysts say strategic considerations underpin Israel’s move. “Israel requires allies in the Red Sea region for many strategic reasons, among them the possibility of a future campaign against the Houthis,” the Institute for National Security Studies said in a paper last month, referring to Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels.

Israel has repeatedly struck targets in Yemen since the Gaza war began in October 2023, responding to Houthi attacks that the group said were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis halted their attacks after a fragile truce began in Gaza in October. Somaliland’s lack of recognition has restricted access to foreign loans, aid and investment, leaving the territory deeply impoverished. Tensions also rose last year after landlocked Ethiopia struck a deal with Somaliland to lease a stretch of coastline for a port and military base, angering Somalia. Israel has been seeking to strengthen ties across the Middle East and Africa, following agreements reached in 2020 during Trump’s first term that saw countries including the United Arab Emirates and Morocco normalise relations, although conflicts, particularly in Gaza, have slowed recent efforts.