Hargeisa: In a historic diplomatic development, Israel has officially recognized the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first country in the world to do so, according to a statement issued by the Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Netanyahu during a formal statement released shortly before he addressed the nation following a deadly attack in the Jezreel Valley. Netanyahu confirmed that Israel and Somaliland signed a mutual declaration of recognition, marking a significant milestone in Somaliland’s long-standing quest for international recognition.
“This declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords initiated by President Donald Trump,” Netanyahu’s office said, linking the move to Israel’s broader strategy of expanding diplomatic engagement beyond traditional frameworks in the Middle East and Africa.
According to the statement, the declaration was jointly signed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro). The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office also shared an official video showing Netanyahu speaking via video call with President Irro, further confirming the diplomatic engagement at the highest level.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has operated as a de facto state for more than three decades with its own government, constitution, currency, and security institutions. Despite maintaining relative peace and democratic processes in contrast to much of the region, Somaliland has not previously been formally recognized by any United Nations member state.
Israeli Prime Minister Office and media reports indicated that the recognition could pave the way for deeper cooperation between Israel and Somaliland in areas such as security, trade, technology, and regional stability. Some reports have also suggested discussions related to humanitarian and regional arrangements, though no formal details have been confirmed by either side.
The announcement came amid heightened security tensions in Israel, following a combined attack in the Jezreel Valley that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli citizens. Netanyahu had not yet addressed the attack at the time the recognition statement was released.
For Somaliland, the recognition by Israel is being viewed as a historic breakthrough that could potentially open the door for further international engagement and recognition by other states. Officials and observers in Hargeisa have long argued that Somaliland meets the criteria for statehood under international law and has demonstrated sustained political stability in a volatile region.
As global reactions continue to emerge, analysts note that Israel’s decision could reshape diplomatic conversations around Somaliland’s status and influence broader geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
