Israel recognises Somaliland as independent state, Netanyahu says

Israel has become the first country to officially recognize Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland, as an independent nation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intends to immediately expand cooperation in agriculture, health and technology. Somaliland president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi described the development as a “historic moment”.

Recognition by Israel could encourage other nations to follow suit, boosting the region’s diplomatic standing and access to international markets.

However, the decision was condemned by the foreign ministers of Somalia, Egypt, Türkiye and Djibouti, who confirmed in a statement that they “completely reject” Israel’s announcement.

Abdullahi said in his statement that Somaliland will also participate. Abraham Accordsin what he calls a step towards regional and global peace.

He added that Somaliland is committed to building partnerships, enhancing mutual prosperity and promoting stability in the Middle East and Africa.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the two countries agreed to establish “full diplomatic relations, including the appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies.” He said the following in his statement about X:.

“I instructed my ministry to take immediate action to institutionalize the ties between the two countries in a wide range of areas.” he said.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian foreign minister held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Somalia, Türkiye and Djibouti to discuss issues including Israel’s declaration.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the four countries reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and warned against unilateral steps that could undermine stability or create what they called “parallel units” to Somalia’s state institutions.

They also argued that recognizing the independence of parts of sovereign states would set a dangerous precedent under international law and the United Nations Charter.

The statement stated that the ministers reiterated their rejection of any plan to expel Palestinians from their homeland.

Israel has been trying to strengthen its relations with countries in the Middle East and Africa for years, but recent wars, including those against Gaza and Iran, are seen as an obstacle to democracy.

historical opportunities Shot late in Trump’s first term in 2020Known as the Abraham Accords, the agreement saw several countries, including the Muslim-majority United Arab Emirates and Morocco, normalize relations with Israel, with other countries later joining.

Somaliland is strategically located in the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport and police force. Born in 1991 following the war of independence against former dictator General Siad Barre, the country has grappled with decades of isolation since then.

The self-proclaimed republic, with a population of around six million, has been at the center of several recent regional disputes involving Somalia, Ethiopia and Egypt.

Last year, An agreement between landlocked Ethiopia and Somaliland Leasing a coastline for a port and military base angered Somalia.