File Photo: This picture shows a general view of the city of Hargeisa, capital and largest city of the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland. AFP
“The prime minister announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state,” the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
The decision was “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” the statement said, referring to agreements brokered by US President Donald Trump during his first term that normalised ties between Israel and several Arab states.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi welcomed the move, describing it as the start of a “strategic partnership”.
“This is a historic moment as we warmly welcome the prime minister of the State of Israel’s recognition of the Republic of Somaliland and affirm Somaliland’s readiness to join the Abraham Accords,” Abdullahi said in a post on X.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been formally recognised by the United Nations or the African Union.
Somalia regards Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory, a position backed by the African Union and regional states, which have long opposed moves that could encourage separatism elsewhere on the continent.
Securing international recognition has been a central priority for Abdullahi since he took office last year.
In a separate statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the two sides had agreed to establish “full diplomatic ties”, including the appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies.
Netanyahu’s office said he had invited Abdullahi to visit Israel. “The president thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for his historic declaration,” the statement added.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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