Israel has become the first country to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign nation, following a joint declaration signed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. The move marks a significant development in the region, with Somaliland having proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991.

The declaration, signed in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, aims to promote mutual cooperation between Israel and Somaliland in areas such as agriculture, health, technology, and economy. Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland’s president on his leadership and invited him to visit Israel, while Abdullahi expressed his commitment to building partnerships and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa.

Somaliland’s recognition by Israel has been met with condemnation from Somalia, which denounced the move as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty. The Somali Foreign Ministry warned that recognizing Somaliland as an independent state would “undermine regional peace” and exacerbate political and security tensions.

The African Union and foreign ministers from Egypt, Turkey, and Djibouti have also joined in condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, citing concerns over the potential threat to international peace and security. The Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “overt interference” in Somalia’s domestic affairs, aligning with its “expansionist policy” and efforts to prevent the recognition of a Palestinian state.

Despite the backlash, Somaliland has welcomed Israel’s recognition, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that the breakaway state’s “moment has arrived.” The development is seen as a significant step towards regional and global peace, with Somaliland committed to joining the Abraham Accords. The Accords, a signature foreign policy achievement of former US President Donald Trump, aim to normalize relations between Israel and other Arab nations, promoting mutual economic and security benefits.

The recognition of Somaliland by Israel is likely to have far-reaching implications for the region, with potential consequences for international relations and global security. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how other countries will respond to Israel’s move and what impact it will have on the stability of the region.