Israel’s decision to officially recognise Somaliland as an independent state has ignited both jubilation and controversy across the Horn of Africa and beyond.
The announcement, made on 26 December by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marked the first time a United Nations member state has formally acknowledged Somaliland’s sovereignty since it declared independence from Somalia in 1991.
In Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, thousands gathered in stadiums and public squares waving the red-white-green national flag, chanting slogans of independence, and setting off fireworks.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi hailed the recognition as a “historic moment” and spoke of a new “strategic partnership” with Israel aimed at promoting prosperity and regional stability.
However, the move has provoked strong reactions elsewhere. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the recognition as a “threat to stability in the Horn of Africa” and reaffirmed Mogadishu’s stance that Somaliland remains part of Somalia’s sovereign territory.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denounced the decision, warning it set a “dangerous precedent” and linking it to broader concerns about Israel’s regional ambitions.
Protests erupted in Boroma, west of Hargeisa, where demonstrators expressed solidarity with Palestinians, chanting “Free, Free Palestine” and rejecting separatism. Videos shared online showed crowds waving Palestinian flags and criticising Israel’s involvement in Somaliland.
The Houthis in Yemen added to the tensions, warning that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be considered a “military target”. Analysts note that Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden makes it a valuable partner for Israel, particularly in terms of maritime security and trade routes.
Israel framed the recognition as part of the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which have sought to normalise relations between Israel and several Arab states. Netanyahu emphasised that the joint declaration signed with Somaliland was intended to foster peace and cooperation.
Despite the celebratory mood in Hargeisa, observers caution that Israel’s recognition could deepen divisions in Somalia and complicate regional diplomacy.
The African Union and neighbouring countries have yet to issue formal responses, but experts suggest the move may embolden other separatist movements while straining Israel’s ties with Arab and Muslim-majority states.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Israel’s bold diplomatic step leads to broader international recognition of Somaliland or intensifies geopolitical fault lines in an already volatile region.
Sources: Channel NewsAsia, The Asia Live, Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera
