For more than three decades, Somaliland has functioned like an independent country without international recognition. That long-standing anomaly shifted when Israel announced it would formally recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, becoming the first UN member to do so.
The decision has elevated Somaliland’s diplomatic profile but also triggered strong regional backlash, revealing how geopolitics in the Horn of Africa are increasingly intertwined with West Asian rivalries and Red Sea security dynamics.
What Exactly Is Somaliland?
Somaliland emerged in 1991, following the collapse of Somalia’s central government after years of civil war. It declared independence by reclaiming the borders of the former British Somaliland Protectorate.
Since then, Somaliland has operated as a de facto state:
- Regular elections and peaceful transfers of power
- Its own currency and tax system
- Local security forces and internal stability
- A functioning administration centred in Hargeisa
This stability contrasts sharply with prolonged conflict in much of southern Somalia. Despite this record, no country had formally recognised Somaliland’s sovereignty until Israel’s announcement.
Geographically, Somaliland occupies north-west Somalia, bordering Djibouti and Ethiopia, and lies close to the Gulf of Aden, a vital artery for global trade.
Why Recognition Has Eluded Somaliland for 30+ Years
Most states have avoided recognising Somaliland due to:
- Fear of encouraging secessionist movements elsewhere in Africa
- Commitment to the principle of inherited colonial borders
- The African Union’s consistent support for Somalia’s territorial integrity
While acknowledging Somaliland’s governance success, the AU has prioritised regional stability over redrawing borders.
The cost for Somaliland has been high:
- No access to international financial institutions
- Limited trade and investment flows
- Exclusion from global diplomatic platforms
Why Israel’s Decision Is Geopolitically Significant
For Somaliland, recognition by a UN member:
- Strengthens its claim to sovereignty
- Opens avenues for diplomacy, investment and security cooperation
- Sets a precedent that others may reassess
For Israel, the move expands its strategic reach in Africa:
- Somaliland sits near the Red Sea–Gulf of Aden corridor, through which a large share of global trade passes
- Proximity to Yemen adds security relevance amid regional instability
- It complements Israel’s broader maritime and security interests beyond West Asia
Notably, Somaliland already hosts a UAE military facility at Berbera Port, underscoring its growing strategic importance.
How the Abraham Accords Fit In
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recognition as being “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.” He announced plans for rapid cooperation with Somaliland in:
- Agriculture
- Health
- Technology
- Economic development
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has been invited to visit Israel, signalling a push to extend the Abraham Accords’ logic beyond the Middle East into Africa.
Regional Backlash and Neighbourhood Anxiety
The announcement drew swift opposition:
- Egypt, Turkey and others reaffirmed support for Somalia’s unity
- Warnings were issued about destabilising precedents and regional fragmentation
The concern is not just legal but strategic. It is central to rivalries involving Somalia, Ethiopia and Egypt. These rivalries particularly concern Red Sea access, Nile politics, and influence in the Horn of Africa. Israel’s entry adds another external power to an already crowded geopolitical space.
What This Means Going Forward
Israel’s recognition does not automatically guarantee wider international acceptance, but it changes the diplomatic equation:
- Other states may quietly reassess their positions
- Somalia is likely to intensify efforts to block further recognition
- Regional powers will recalibrate strategies around Red Sea security
For Somaliland, this is a long-awaited diplomatic breakthrough — but one that brings greater visibility, scrutiny and geopolitical risk in one of the world’s most contested corridors.
Exam-Oriented Facts
- Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991
- It was a former British protectorate
- Israel is the first UN member to recognise Somaliland
- It lies near the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea trade routes
- Berbera hosts a UAE military facility
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