Israel becomes first country to recognize Somaliland as ‘sovereign state’

A woman displays the Somaliland flag as people queue to cast their votes during the 2024 Somaliland presidential election at a polling station in Hargeisa, Somaliland, Wednesday, Nov. 13,2024. (AP Photo/Abdirahman Aleeli)

JERUSALEM -- Israel on Friday formally recognized Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state” and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

“The prime minister announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state,” his office said, making Israel the first country to officially recognize Somaliland as a country.

“The declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” Netanyahu’s office said, referring to several agreements between Israel and Arab countries brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump during his first presidency.

The president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, hailed the recognition move, saying it marked the beginning 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,” normalizing relations with Israel, he posted on X.

Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, has for decades pushed for international recognition, the key priority for Abdullahi since he took office last year.

In a separate statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the two countries had agreed to establish “full diplomatic ties, which will include the appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies.”

“I have instructed my ministry to act immediately to institutionalize ties between the two countries across a wide range of fields,” he said on X.

Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister had invited Abdullah to visit Israel.

“The president thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for his historic declaration,” the statement said.