Jerusalem (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Israel formally recognizes Somaliland as an independent state, establishing full diplomatic ties after 30 years of unrecognized independence.
As reported by Faisal Ali of Al Jazeera, Israel has become the first nation to formally recognize Somaliland, ending the breakaway region’s three-decade struggle for international recognition.
How did Israel and Somaliland plan to strengthen diplomatic relations?
On Friday, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar revealed that Israel and Somaliland signed an agreement to establish full diplomatic relations, covering ambassador appointments and opening embassies in each nation.
He continued that the agreement followed a year of detailed talks between both nations and was jointly agreed upon by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
Mr Saar added,
“We will work together to promote the relations between our countries and nations, regional stability and economic prosperity.”
During a video call with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the new partnership as “seminal and historic” and invited him to visit Israel, describing it as a “great opportunity” to deepen their relations.
Mr Netanyahu said,
“We intend to work together with you on economic fields, on agriculture, in the fields of social development.”
He stated that he will communicate Somaliland’s intention to join the Abraham Accords to US President Donald Trump.
Mr Netanyahu said,
“Thanks Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Mossad Director David Barnea and the Mossad for their contribution in advancing recognition between the two countries, and wishes the people of Somaliland success, prosperity and freedom.”
The landmark deal marks a major milestone for Somaliland, which proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991 but has struggled to gain recognition from any UN member state.
Somaliland occupies the northwestern region of the former British Protectorate, which today forms part of northern Somalia.
The move comes after reports in August indicated that Somaliland was in talks with Israel, along with other countries, over the possible relocation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
In 1960, Somaliland, a Sunni Muslim territory, held five days of independence, during which it was recognized by Israel and 34 other countries before joining Somalia.
Somaliland declared independence in 1991. It has received no official recognition, but several influential countries, such as the UK, Ethiopia, Turkey, UAE, Denmark, Kenya, and Taiwan, have maintained liaison offices.
No countries maintain diplomatic relations with Somaliland at the level of full embassies or sovereign state-to-state ties, as it lacks widespread recognition beyond Israel’s recent acknowledgement.
Ethiopia signed one major agreement with Somaliland in 2024, which would grant Ethiopia access to a 20-kilometer stretch of Somaliland’s coastline for 50 years to use as a naval base and commercial port.
What are the Abraham Accords?
The Abraham Accords refer to a series of diplomatic agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab countries for the first time in decades.
The deal was mediated by President Donald Trump, first signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain in September 2020. Morocco and Sudan joined later, and Kazakhstan formally acceded in November 2025.
The accords established diplomatic, economic, and social ties between Israel and the signatory nations. This represented an exit from the long-standing Arab consensus that recognition of Israel should only come after a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
