A growing number of countries have rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, Somalia’s breakaway region, as an independent nation, a day after Israel became the first country in over three decades to do so.
The reason behind Israel’s move remains unclear, and it is not known whether it expected any concessions in return.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 amid civil conflict. Despite having its own government, currency, and relative stability, it had not received formal recognition from any country until Israel’s announcement on Friday.
On Saturday, more than 20 countries, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, issued a joint statement rejecting Israel’s decision, citing “serious repercussions on peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and international stability as a whole.” Syria also issued a separate rejection.
The statement further emphasized that Israel’s move should not be linked to any attempt to displace Palestinians.
Earlier this year, Israeli and US officials reportedly discussed the possibility of resettling Palestinians from Gaza in Somaliland as part of former US President Donald Trump’s plan, which has since been abandoned.
The US State Department reiterated its recognition of Somalia’s territorial integrity, including Somaliland. Somalia’s federal government strongly condemned Israel’s declaration, reaffirming that Somaliland remains part of Somalia.
African regional organizations also opposed the move. African Union Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf warned that undermining Somalia’s sovereignty could destabilize the continent, while East African bloc IGAD said unilateral recognition contradicts international law, the United Nations charter, and agreements underpinning the African Union.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signed a joint declaration on Friday “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” which since 2020 have established diplomatic and commercial ties between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries.
