Somaliland welcomes US Israel genocide recognition

The government of Somaliland welcomed statements made by Israel and the United States at the United Nations Security Council that acknowledged the genocide committed against its people in 1988. In a statement issued after the Security Council meeting on December 29, Somaliland’s foreign ministry expressed appreciation for the comments of Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, recognizing the mass killings carried out by Somalia’s former military government. The ministry also praised remarks by the deputy representative of the United States, which highlighted Somaliland’s role and standing within the international community and reflected respect for historical truth.

However, Somaliland’s government strongly criticized Somalia’s UN envoy for rejecting descriptions of the 1988 campaign as genocide, mass killings, and attempted ethnic cleansing. The government asserted that these crimes are well documented and widely recognized as crimes against humanity.

Since 1991, Somaliland has functioned as a peaceful, self‑governing state with its own elected government, security forces, and democratic institutions. Although most of the global community has not granted formal international recognition, Somaliland has maintained stability and held regular elections for over three decades, demonstrating the attributes of statehood. The government argues that its claim to statehood rests on historical legality, effective governance, defined territory, and the freely expressed will of its people. Somaliland was internationally recognized as an independent state in 1960 before voluntarily uniting with Somalia.

The acknowledgment of the 1988 genocide by Israel and the United States is seen as a significant step toward recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty and its people’s right to self‑determination. The government remains committed to peace, democratic governance, and regional cooperation, and it will closely watch the international community’s response as it continues to seek recognition and cooperation worldwide.