Israel has become the first country in the world to formally recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move announced on December 26, 2025, that has ignited fierce opposition from African and Arab bodies committed to Somalia’s territorial integrity. The decision marks a bold diplomatic gambit by Israel amid its search for new allies in the Horn of Africa, but it risks escalating tensions in a region already strained by security challenges and separatist claims.
Somaliland, a self-declared independent territory in northern Somalia since 1991, has long operated as a de facto state with its own government, currency, and security forces, yet it lacks widespread international acknowledgment. The central Somali government in Mogadishu views the region as an inseparable part of its territory and has consistently rejected any external engagement that legitimizes its independence aspirations. Israel’s recognition, detailed in statements from its foreign ministry, positions Somaliland as a partner in countering regional threats, particularly from Iran-backed groups and Houthi militants in the Red Sea.
The African Union Commission responded with immediate condemnation, with Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirming the AU’s “unwavering commitment” to Somalia’s unity and sovereignty. Citing the 1964 Organization of African Unity decision on the intangibility of colonial borders, Youssouf rejected “any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity,” warning that such steps could destabilize the continent. The AU emphasized its support for Somalia’s efforts to build inclusive governance and state institutions, framing Israel’s move as a direct challenge to these principles.
Arab states echoed this stance with equal vigor. Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit labeled the recognition a “clear violation of international law” and an infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty, arguing it interferes in internal affairs and threatens regional stability. Similarly, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi called it a “grave violation” that undermines Horn of Africa peace efforts, pledging full backing to Somalia’s security and territorial integrity. These reactions underscore a unified front among African and Arab blocs against unilateral recognitions that could encourage other separatist movements, such as in Western Sahara or elsewhere.
From Israel’s perspective, the outreach to Somaliland aligns with strategic imperatives. Officials in Jerusalem highlighted the territory’s relative stability, democratic elections, and strategic Berbera port as assets for enhancing Israel’s influence in the Red Sea corridor. Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Irro hailed the move as a “historic milestone,” promising deepened cooperation on security, trade, and technology. Analysts note this fits Israel’s broader pattern of forging ties with overlooked actors in Africa and the Middle East, bypassing traditional powers like Egypt or Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Gaza-related isolations.
The timing amplifies the controversy. Coming just weeks after heightened Houthi attacks on shipping lanes, Israel’s step could be seen as a counter to Iranian influence in the region, with Somaliland’s location offering potential basing rights for surveillance or logistics. However, Somalia’s government has vowed diplomatic retaliation, including appeals to the United Nations, while urging partners to shun direct dealings with Hargeisa. Ethiopian observers, watching closely from Addis Ababa, express concerns over ripple effects on Horn stability, given shared borders and anti-terrorism collaborations.
Regional experts caution that Israel’s precedent could embolden other unrecognized entities, complicating AU mediation in Somalia where al-Shabaab insurgency persists. “This risks a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace,” the AU chairperson warned, signaling potential extraordinary sessions to rally continental support for Mogadishu. Djibouti, hosting key U.S. and French bases nearby, has remained silent so far, but its economic reliance on Somali trade routes heightens stakes.
As reactions pour in, the international community watches warily. The United Nations has not commented, but past resolutions affirm Somalia’s unity. For Somaliland, this breakthrough offers hope after decades of lobbying, including recent pacts with the United Arab Emirates for Berbera port development. Yet with heavyweights like the AU, Arab League, and GCC aligned against it, Israel’s solo recognition may isolate rather than integrate the breakaway region.
Diplomats, active in AU corridors, stress the need for dialogue to preserve Horn unity. “Unilateral moves undermine collective security,” one senior official noted privately. As 2025 ends, this diplomatic earthquake tests longstanding norms on sovereignty, with implications for Africa’s border sanctity and Israel’s global maneuvering.
