Israel has officially recognized the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, marking a significant change in regional relations and challenging Somalia’s opposition to Somaliland’s secession. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for collaboration with Somaliland in sectors such as agriculture, health, technology, and the economy. He congratulated Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, and invited him to visit Israel. Netanyahu indicated that this recognition aligns with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which formalized diplomatic relations between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain.
In response, Abdullahi expressed that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, aiming to foster regional peace and partnerships. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Minister discussed the situation with counterparts from Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti, condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. They reaffirmed support for Somalia’s unity and warned that recognition of breakaway movements threatens international peace. Somaliland, which has been autonomous since 1991 but lacks international recognition, hopes Israel’s recognition will inspire other nations to acknowledge its status. Additionally, both Somalia and Somaliland denied any proposals regarding the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza.
With information from Reuters