Netanyahu says Israel recognizes Somaliland as independent state

Israel becomes the first country to officially recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intends to immediately expand cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health and technology. Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi called the development a “historic moment.”

Israel’s recognition could encourage other countries to follow suit, boosting the region’s diplomatic credibility and access to international markets.

But the decision was condemned by the foreign ministers of Somalia, Egypt, Türkiye and Djibouti, who reiterated their “complete rejection” of Israel’s statement in a statement.

Abdullahi said in a statement that Somaliland would join Abraham AccordsHe called it a step toward regional and global peace.

He added that Somaliland is committed to building partnerships in the Middle East and Africa that promote shared prosperity and promote stability.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the two countries agreed to establish “comprehensive diplomatic relations, including the appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies” A statement from X said.

“I have instructed my department to take immediate action to institutionalize relations between the two countries in a wide range of areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s foreign minister held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Somalia, Türkiye and Djibouti to discuss issues, including the Israeli statement.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the four countries reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and warned against unilateral measures that could destabilize or create so-called “parallel entities” of Somalia’s state institutions.

They also believe that recognizing the independence of some sovereign states would set a dangerous precedent under international law and the United Nations Charter.

The statement also said the ministers reiterated their rejection of any plan to expel Palestinians from their homes.

Israel has been trying to strengthen ties with Middle Eastern and African countries for years, but the recent war in Gaza and against Iran are seen as obstacles to democracy.

Historical transactions Trump suffered a blow at the end of his first term in 2020Known as the Abraham Accords, several countries, including the Muslim-majority United Arab Emirates and Morocco, normalized relations with Israel and were later joined by other countries.

Somaliland enjoys a strategic position in the Gulf of Aden and has its own funds, passport and police force. It was born in 1991 after an independence war against former dictator General Siad Barre and has since struggled with decades of isolation.

The self-proclaimed republic of nearly six million people has recently been at the center of multiple regional disputes involving Somalia, Ethiopia and Egypt.

last year, Agreement between landlocked Ethiopia and Somaliland Leasing a stretch of coastline to build a port and military base has angered Somalia.