Exploring Israel’s Move to Recognize Somaliland: A Guide for the Perplexed 

If you’d never heard of Somaliland until a few weeks ago, you’re probably not alone. And yet it’s existed for over 30 years. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has been acting as an independently governed state ever since. However, not one foreign government has recognized its sovereignty over the past three decades—until now.

Israel made the controversial move to be the first country to recognize Somaliland as a state on December 26. While the decision made strategic sense for both parties, it also shined light on an unlikely affinity between the two.

Located below Djibouti in the Horn of Africa region, Somaliland is a self-declared de facto country. It defines its territory by the British colony of Somalia Protectorate. After gaining independence from the British in 1960, the State of Somaliland joined with the Trust Territory of Somalia (formerly Italian) to form the Somali Republic, or Somalia. Tensions quickly arose between Somaliland and Somalia’s southern capital, Mogadishu, due to the latter’s concentration of power. The situation was made worse after military leader Siad Barre seized control of the Somali government in 1969, creating a centralized, authoritarian government and further marginalizing the north. Somaliland fought a 10-year-long war of independence and adopted a multiparty democratic system in 2001.

Although Mogadishu still considers Somaliland to be a part of Somalia, Somalilanders have essentially been operating independently since 1991. Similar to Israel, Somaliland is the only democratic government in its region and holds regular elections, which have resulted in six peaceful transfers of power over the years. In addition, they have their own passport, currency, economy and security forces.

Somalia and Somaliland have attempted diplomatic talks over the years, however negotiations are made difficult by Somalia’s instability and the presence of al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group in Somalia.

Why Israel, why now?

Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland comes after two years of clashes between Israel and the Houthis, the Iran-backed Islamist group based in Yemen. Houthi aggression ramped up after Hamas’s October 7 attacks, and has abated with the October 2025 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. A relationship with Somaliland, located at the bottom of the Red Sea, promises to give Israel better access to Yemen should hostilities resume.

“The Somaliland flag and the Israeli flag were together everywhere. It was an amazing moment for the people of Somaliland.”

This is one of three important geopolitical factors that led to this recognition, explains Asher Lubotzky, research fellow at the Institute for Israel-Africa Relations in Israel. “Israel has been neglecting this area for way too long,” he says, adding that in fighting the Houthis, Israel had “no knowledge of the region, no operational capabilities, no presence in the area, no allies to work with.”

The second factor Lubotzky mentions is the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Somaliland was briefly mentioned in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, Trump’s supposed initiative for his second presidency, wherein recognizing Somaliland statehood was proposed “as a hedge against the US’s deteriorating position in Djibouti.” Leading up to the election, some Somalilanders were hopeful that if Trump won, it would mean possible recognition from the United States. Although Trump has given no indication that he would do so, it’s possible the new move from Israel could prompt a change.

“It’s kind of, in order to get to Washington, you go through Jerusalem,” says Lubotzky.

“We always had optimism that if any American president will actually recognize Somaliland, it will be President Donald Trump,” says Bashir Goth, Somaliland’s diplomatic representative to the United States. “We hope that it happens sooner than later.”

Somaliland’s geographical position on the Gulf of Aden, below the Arabian Peninsula, is also important to consider. “If Somaliland weren’t on the coast, I don’t think you’d really have Israel or anyone lining up to recognize it,” says Omar Mahmood, a Somalia analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank.

The UAE and Ethiopia have both worked with Somaliland in the past, investing in the port of Berbera as a commercialized hub, and the UAE even holds a military port in Somaliland. Ties with those countries, especially the UAE, could open doors for Somaliland in the region as well as benefit those African states without access to the Gulf. However, fear of causing instability within the African Union is a probable cause for why these countries have not yet recognized Somaliland.

“You see that the Emirates is rising up, and they are very willing to support Somaliland, not yet by recognizing them, but by helping them on the ground,” Lubotzky said.

Why are other countries upset?

So, why was Israel’s recognition of Somaliland so controversial? Somalia views the move as an attack on its sovereignty, as do many other countries across Africa and the Middle East who claim Israel violated international law. Notable among them are Egypt and China, who Israel does have working relationships with. The majority of the 21 countries who signed a joint condemnation by the African Union mainly include states who already have a tense relationship with Israel, so the most recent criticism is unlikely to sway Israel’s decision.

“For Israel, the opportunities really outweigh the risks,” Lubotzky says. And for Somaliland, the criticism was expected, and worth it.

Mahmood predicts Somalia will attempt to mobilize political pressure against Israel, similar to what occurred when Ethiopia made a potential move to recognize Somaliland in 2024 in exchange for naval access. However, pressure from organizations like the African Union, the Arab League, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and even the United Nations won’t have the same effect on Israel.

The United States defended Israel’s recognition of Somaliland at a December 29 UN Security Council meeting, saying that Israel “has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign State.” Other countries warned that unilateral action would disrupt the political stability of the Horn of Africa, to which the U.S. pointed out that no emergency meeting was held when several UN countries made the unilateral decision to recognize a Palestinian state.

What this means for Somaliland and Israel

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, to meet president Abdirahman Mohammed Abdullah on January 6. Israeli flags could be seen across the city as Somalilanders celebrated the recognition they’ve been waiting over 30 years for.

“People held festivals,” Goth says, adding he’s fairly sure it was the first time the Israeli flag flooded the streets and businesses of a Muslim country. “The Somaliland flag and the Israeli flag were together everywhere. It was an amazing moment for the people of Somaliland.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Abdullah to visit Israel, and Goth expects the two to begin a diplomatic relationship as heads of two sovereign nations.

Operating with a free-market economy and a growing telecommunications sector, Somaliland is hopeful that recognition from an economically and technologically advanced state such as Israel will lead Somaliland into a new beginning, Goth says. 

The Somaliland economy is poor, with a GDP per capita of $1,500, one of the lowest in the world, according to the Council on Foreign Relations—though still higher than Somalia’s. Its main export is livestock, which it ships to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Oman. International recognition would increase opportunities for trade and open up access to international markets, such as the World Bank or International Monetary Fund, which would in turn better allow Somaliland’s government to provide for its citizens.

While recognition poses risks for Somaliland—mainly in potential backlash from Somalia and its allies—the pros seem to outweigh the cons.

A history in common

Yes, Israel and Somaliland’s partnership is geopolitically strategic, but the outpouring of support from Somalilanders towards Israel shows sympathy between the two. After declaring independence, both Israel and Somaliland have experienced isolation and lack of recognition from their neighbors.

“That isolation has bred a kind of resilience and inner strength and economic independence that you don’t see in a lot of other countries,” Goth says. “The strategic element is kind of easy to put together, but there’s a deeper narrative here.”

The Somali Democratic Republic killed about 200,000 members of the Isaaq clan, which makes up much of Somaliland, between 1987 and 1989 during the Somaliland War of Independence. The event is often referred to as the “Hargeisa Holocaust,” and draws emotional parallels to how Israel got its start following the Holocaust.

Though Somaliland has its complexities, and even within Somaliland, support for its independence isn’t universal, the Israeli flags waved throughout the cities show a great amount of appreciation for Israel’s move.

Israel remains the only country to recognize Somaliland, but Goth is hopeful others will follow. While he said he couldn’t name names, he alluded to some in the pipeline.

“There was some engagement, there was sympathy, there was admiration for our story and the success we have shown in Somaliland, but no recognition,” Goth says. “So after 35 years for Israel to come forward and recognize Somaliland, that’s a miracle story for us.”