December 26, 2025
By Tobi Akinnubi
Israel has officially recognised the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, marking a historic breakthrough in international diplomacy.
According to an announcement on Friday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel has become the first United Nations member state to formally acknowledge Somaliland’s sovereignty. The move follows a joint declaration of mutual recognition, signed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi via video link.
Prime Minister Netanyahu described the decision as seminal and historic, and said it opens the way for expanded cooperation between the two governments in areas including agriculture, health, technology and the economy. He also invited President Abdullahi to make an official state visit to Israel.
In his response, President Abdullahi thanked Israel for what he called a historic declaration, expressing appreciation for Israel’s support in promoting peace and combating terrorism.
The declaration was framed “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” the U.S.-brokered normalization agreements that have expanded diplomatic ties between Israel and several other countries.
Somaliland, a self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa, has operated with de facto independence from Somalia since 1991 but has lacked formal recognition from any UN member state until now.
The development is expected to have significant diplomatic implications in the region, where other governments have expressed opposition or concern about the recognition and the potential impact on Somalia’s territorial integrity.
