Israel has formally recognized the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, marking the first official international recognition of the self-declared republic more than three decades after it broke away from Somalia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision on Thursday, saying Israel signed a joint and mutual declaration with Somaliland alongside Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Somaliland President His Excellency Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallah.
Netanyahu said the declaration was signed in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, initiated under U.S. President Donald Trump, and described the move as historic.
“After more than three decades of peaceful rule, constitutional order, and democratic practice, the Republic of Somaliland has received its first official international recognition as an independent sovereign state,” President Abdallah said in response to the announcement.
He added that the development affirms an objective existing reality: that Somaliland has met all the legal and political criteria required for the establishment of a state.
Further details of the decision emerged from an earlier telephone conversation between Netanyahu and President Abdallah, during which the Israeli leader told his counterpart that he was signing Israel’s official recognition “as we speak,” affirming Somaliland’s right to self-determination.
Netanyahu described the moment as “a great and historic day,” calling the relationship between Israel and Somaliland “seminal and historic.”
During the call, Netanyahu said Israel intends to work closely with Somaliland in key sectors including agriculture, economic development, and social development, saying Israel hopes to assist Somaliland while expanding a long-term partnership.
He also extended a formal invitation to President Abdallah to make an official visit to Israel.
President Abdallah immediately accepted the invitation, saying he was ready to travel as soon as arrangements could be made, with senior Somaliland officials present during the call.
Netanyahu responded that preparations would begin promptly, telling his counterpart, “See you soon in Jerusalem.”
Netanyahu also said he would convey Somaliland’s willingness to join the Abraham Accords to President Trump, linking the recognition to Israel’s broader diplomatic outreach beyond the Middle East.
In his public statement, Netanyahu thanked Foreign Minister Sa’ar, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Israel’s intelligence services for their role in facilitating the recognition.
He wished the people of Somaliland “success, prosperity, and freedom,” and said Israel plans to immediately expand cooperation in agriculture, health, technology, and economic development.
The recognition is expected to generate strong regional and international reactions, particularly from the Federal Government of Somalia, which maintains that Somaliland remains part of its sovereign territory.
Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and has operated as a self-governing entity for more than 30 years, maintaining relative stability, regular elections, and functioning state institutions despite the absence of formal international recognition—until now.
