Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state, a move that has drawn sharp reactions across Africa and the wider region.
The Israeli government announced on Friday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signed a joint statement formalising the recognition.
Israel said the decision was taken “in the spirit” of the Abraham Accords, which promote diplomatic normalisation between Israel and other states.
Somaliland, a predominantly Muslim region in northern Somalia with a population of several million, has operated as a de facto independent entity for over 30 years, despite lacking international recognition to date.
The Abraham Accords, launched under former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2020, previously led the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan to establish or normalise relations with Israel.
Israeli officials said the recognition of Somaliland reflects a continuation of that diplomatic framework.
However, the announcement has sparked anger among regional powers and institutions.
The African Union warned that any move undermining Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity could set a “dangerous precedent” with far-reaching consequences for peace and stability across the continent.
Somalia’s federal government has long opposed international recognition of Somaliland, insisting the region remains an integral part of the country.
