Israel has formally recognized Somaliland as an independent nation, marking the first instance of a country doing so. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision, stating that Israel intends to immediately increase collaboration with Somaliland in the areas of agriculture, health, and technology.
Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi hailed the recognition as "a historic moment," adding that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, describing it as a step toward regional and global peace. He affirmed Somaliland's commitment to building partnerships, fostering mutual prosperity, and promoting stability throughout the Middle East and Africa.
The move has been met with strong condemnation from Somalia, which considers Somaliland to be part of its territory. Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre stated that his country categorically and unequivocally rejected what he described as a deliberate attack by Israel on its sovereignty. Somalia's foreign ministers also condemned the decision.
Somaliland, a self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa, declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Somali central government. Despite lacking widespread international recognition, Somaliland has maintained a functioning political system, its own currency, and security forces. It has sought international recognition for decades, arguing that it has fulfilled the criteria for statehood under international law.
Recognition by Israel could potentially encourage other nations to follow suit, bolstering Somaliland's diplomatic standing and facilitating access to international markets. The Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements brokered by the United States in 2020, saw Israel establish diplomatic relations with several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. Somaliland's stated intention to join the accords signals its desire for greater integration into the international community and potential economic benefits. The long-term implications of Israel's recognition and Somaliland's potential inclusion in the Abraham Accords remain to be seen, particularly in light of Somalia's strong opposition.
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