Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland, drawing criticism

Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state on Friday, drawing strong condemnation from Somalia and regional and international organisations.

Somalia’s federal government described the decision as "unlawful" and a "deliberate attack" on the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It said Somaliland remained "an integral, inseparable and inalienable part of Somalia" and pledged to pursue diplomatic, political and legal measures to defend its internationally recognised borders.

The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council also criticised the move.

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called the recognition "a clear violation of international law" and an infringement of the principle of state sovereignty.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi warned it could destabilise the Horn of Africa, describing the decision as a grave breach of Somalia’s sovereignty.

The African Union reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity, cautioning that recognising breakaway regions risked undermining peace and stability across the continent.

Announcing the decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would pursue immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.

He congratulated Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi on his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.

Netanyahu said the recognition was "in the spirit of the Abraham Accords", signed during Donald Trump’s first administration, which normalised Israel’s relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

An Israeli statement said Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Abdullahi signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition.

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi welcomed Israel’s decision, saying it opened the door to cooperation in sectors including agriculture, health and technology.

Somaliland, a self-declared republic in northern Somalia, has operated with de facto autonomy since declaring independence in 1991 but has not previously received international recognition. Somalia’s federal government considers the region an integral part of its territory.

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