Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland

Breakthrough in Diplomatic Relations: Israel Recognizes Somaliland

In a significant development, Israel has become the first nation to formally recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia that has been seeking international recognition for over 30 years. The announcement was made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, following the signing of a joint declaration establishing full diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The agreement is described as being “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” a set of deals brokered by the United States to establish formal ties between Israel and Arab states. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but has yet to gain recognition from any UN member state.

According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, the agreement was the result of extensive dialogue between the two governments over the past year. The joint declaration includes the appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies in both countries, as well as cooperation on regional stability and economic prosperity.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Cirro, welcomed the development as a “historic moment,” expressing readiness to join the Abraham Accords. The recognition marks a significant shift in Somaliland’s fortunes after years of diplomatic isolation.

The Somali government has expressed concern over the recognition, with Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali stating that the four countries’ top diplomats discussed how recognizing the independence of a region within a sovereign country sets a “dangerous precedent” in violation of the UN Charter. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a “serious violation of international law.”

The development has sparked reactions from various countries, with Egypt and Djibouti reaffirming their support for Somalia’s unity. The United Arab Emirates, which has developed ties with Somaliland in recent years, is also expected to play a role in the region’s future diplomatic landscape.

As Somaliland seeks to establish itself as a recognized state, its eastern regions remain disputed by communities who do not back the separatist programme in the capital Hargeisa. The recognition of Somaliland by Israel marks an important step forward for the breakaway region, but its long-term implications and impact on regional stability remain to be seen.

Source: Al Jazeera