Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a diplomatic breakthrough for the country nestled in the Horn of Africa.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, after a
decade-long war of independence led by the Somali National Movement (SNM)
against dictator Siad Barre’s regime.
But the country lacks widespread international recognition
as an independent state despite functioning with its own government, currency,
military, and elections. It is viewed by most countries and the United Nations
(UN) as part of Somalia.
Somalia has also never accepted Somaliland’s independence.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
announced that Israel and Somaliland had signed a joint declaration
establishing full diplomatic relations.
“This declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,
signed at the initiative of President Trump,” he said.
Netanyahu did not give further details on what informed
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, but both countries hold shared strategic
interests in Red Sea security and regional stability.
Somaliland has a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden, a
territory where Israel seeks a foothold to counter Houthi and Iranian threats.
In recent years, Somaliland has also developed ties with the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) – a signatory to the Abraham Accords – and Taiwan as
it seeks international acceptance.
In August, Trump signalled that he was preparing to act on
the issue when asked about Somaliland during a White House news conference.
“Another complex one, but we’re working on that one,
Somaliland,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hamza Abdi Barre, Somalia’s prime minister, said
his country categorically and unequivocally rejects what he calls a deliberate
attack by Israel on its sovereignty.
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