Israel has officially become the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a major diplomatic development for the coastal region in Africa.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision on Friday, December 26, together with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and the President of the Republic of Somaliland.
Israel and Somaliland signed a mutual declaration ‘in the spirit of the Abraham Accords’, brokered by President Trump.
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Sa’ar shared in a statement on X that relations between Somaliland and Israel have grown, “based on extensive and ongoing dialogue.”
Full diplomatic relations, according to Sa’ar, include the appointment of ambassadors by Israel and the opening of embassies in the state.
Somaliland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi said in a statement that the Republic of Somaliland “warmly welcomes and deeply appreciates” Israel’s decision to recognize the state’s sovereignty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a joint agreement on Friday, December 26, recognizing Somaliland as a sovereign nation. (Benjamin Netanyahu via X)
“This recognition represents a milestone in Somaliland’s long-standing quest for international legitimacy, and affirms its historical, legal and moral right to statehood,” Abdullahi said in the statement.
Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry said in a press release issued Friday that the decision was a “constructive contribution to peace, stability and cooperation” in the Horn of Africa and throughout the Middle East.
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“The Republic of Somaliland hereby expresses its firm commitment to accede to the Abraham Accords. Somaliland looks forward to engaging with the State of Israel on the basis of formal diplomatic relations and mutual recognition,” the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
A general view of the city of Hargeisa, Somaliland, in September 2021. (EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Shortly after Israel’s decision, South Sudan reportedly became the second country to officially recognize Somaliland, with some now wondering whether the US will follow suit.
President Donald Trump reportedly investigated Somaliland’s recognition in August. The official recognition would give the US a new foothold in the Horn of Africa through a new air and naval base near the entrance to the Red Sea at the port of Berbera.
President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, September 29, 2025 (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
When asked about state recognition and possible resettlement of Gaza residents there, Trump told reporters on August 8: “We are looking into that now.”
This would position U.S. forces directly against Yemen and the Houthi terrorists, an Iranian-backed group prominently known for its attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea.
Security personnel from Somaliland keep watch over shipping containers being stored at the port of Berbera. (Ed Ram/AFP via Getty Images)
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Trump will meet Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Monday, December 29, to discuss “next steps” in the Gaza peace deal.
Despite previous talks, Trump is reportedly “not ready” to embrace Somaliland’s independence and was reportedly “unimpressed” by his expressed interest in joining the Abraham Accords.
Trump told the New York Post that he had to “study” Netanyahu’s pitch and asked from his golf course: “Does anyone even know what Somaliland is?”
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallah during a telephone conversation with Netanyahu on Friday, December 26. (Benjamin Netanyahu via X)
“We’ll study it. I study a lot of things and I always make good decisions, and they turn out to be correct,” Trump told the Post.
The breakout is said to have eliminated radicalism and echoed US Somaliland Minister for the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, who said Somaliland has remained “democratic, peaceful and self-governing – unlike Somalia” for more than 30 years.
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“It is time for Somalia to focus on its own challenges and be constructive. The illusion of Somali unity ended long ago.” Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991.
Netanyahu reportedly invited Abdullahi to Israel and “commended his leadership and commitment to promoting stability and peace.”
