After 30 years in limbo, Somaliland wins first recognition from Israel

Israel has formally recognised Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a move announced Friday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

The decision makes Israel the first country to officially recognise Somaliland, a self-declared republic that has existed outside international recognition for more than three decades.

The announcement marks a significant geopolitical development in the Horn of Africa and could have far-reaching diplomatic consequences for the region.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of Somalia’s central government. Since then, it has operated as a de facto state, with its own constitution, currency, security forces, and elected governments. 

Its capital, Hargeisa, hosts functioning state institutions that stand in sharp contrast to the instability that has plagued much of southern Somalia.

Despite these attributes, Somaliland has never been formally recognised by the international community, largely due to concerns about preserving Somalia’s territorial integrity and fears that recognition could encourage further secessionist movements across Africa.

Somaliland’s Political Landscape

Politically, Somaliland has built a reputation for relative stability and democratic practice in a volatile region. It has held multiple competitive elections, including presidential and parliamentary polls, with peaceful transfers of power. 

Opposition parties operate openly, and civil society and independent media play an active role in public life.

However, the system is not without flaws. Election delays, clan-based politics, and tensions over power-sharing have periodically tested the democratic process. Disputes with neighbouring Puntland over the eastern regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn have also led to sporadic violence, highlighting unresolved territorial challenges.

Still, compared with Somalia’s fragile federal system, Somaliland’s governance model is often cited as a rare success story in the Horn of Africa.

Why Israel’s Decision Matters

Israel’s recognition appears driven by a mix of strategic, diplomatic, and security considerations. Somaliland’s location along the Gulf of Aden—a critical maritime route linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean—gives it strategic importance amid rising tensions in the wider Middle East and Horn of Africa.

For Somaliland, Israel’s move is a diplomatic breakthrough. Leaders in Hargeisa have long argued that international recognition would unlock foreign investment, development aid, and access to global financial institutions. 

Recognition by even one UN member state strengthens Somaliland’s case that its long-standing political reality deserves formal acknowledgment.

Somalia’s federal government is expected to strongly reject the move, viewing it as a violation of its sovereignty. Regional organisations and African Union members, traditionally cautious on secession issues, may also resist following Israel’s lead.

Whether Israel’s recognition will open the door for others remains uncertain. But it undeniably shifts the conversation around Somaliland’s status from a frozen dispute to an active diplomatic question.

After more than 30 years in diplomatic limbo, Somaliland has gained its first formal recognition. Whether this marks the beginning of broader international acceptance or remains a singular political gesture will depend on how regional powers, African institutions, and Western governments respond.

For Somaliland, the message is clear: its long quest for legitimacy has entered a new and potentially decisive phase.