TEL AVIV, 27 December (H.S.): In a historic diplomatic move, Israel has officially recognized the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign nation — becoming the first United Nations member state to do so. The announcement, made on Friday, marks a major geopolitical shift in the Horn of Africa and is expected to strain relations between Israel, Turkey, and Somalia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had signed a joint declaration with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi through a virtual ceremony. The agreement was also co-signed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.The development formalizes ties that had previously existed only at informal or trade levels.

According to The Times of Israel, this marks the first time in over three decades since Somaliland’s separation from Somalia in 1991 that a UN member country has extended full diplomatic recognition. Although Britain, the UAE, Denmark, Kenya, and Taiwan have maintained unofficial contacts with Somaliland, none had previously offered official acknowledgment of its sovereignty.

Sharing the announcement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Netanyahu wrote, “Israel and Somaliland intend to cooperate in economic, agricultural, and social development sectors. We look forward to a new era of partnership.”

The decision has provoked sharp reactions from Somalia and Turkey, both of which condemned Israel’s move. Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the recognition “an assault on its sovereignty,” while Turkey’s Foreign Ministry denounced it as “another unlawful step” by the Netanyahu government aimed at “creating instability both regionally and globally.”

Situated in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland occupies a critical strategic location along key maritime routes connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The breakaway region has operated an independent government since 1991, when it declared separation following the collapse of Somalia’s central authority during the civil war.

Historically, Somaliland briefly existed as an independent state in 1960, recognized by several nations — including Israel — before voluntarily uniting with Somalia later that year. Its renewed declaration of independence in 1991, however, has gone largely unrecognized until Israel’s latest announcement.

The recognition is expected to carry major geopolitical ramifications, potentially altering diplomatic alignments in the Middle East and East Africa, and strengthening Israel’s strategic presence in the Horn region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar