In a landmark diplomatic decision that is set to reshape regional dynamics, the State of Israel has formally acknowledged the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign and independent country. This pivotal announcement was made public on Friday, December 26, 2025, by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A Historic Declaration and Strategic Partnership
The recognition makes Israel the first nation in the world to officially grant Somaliland sovereign state status. The Israeli government framed the decision as an extension of the spirit fostered by the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations brokered during the first term of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In response, Somaliland's President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, celebrated the move on social media platform X. He described it as a historic moment and warmly welcomed Prime Minister Netanyahu's declaration. President Abdullahi affirmed Somaliland's readiness to join the Abraham Accords framework, signaling a desire for normalized relations with Israel and calling it the start of a strategic partnership.
Establishing Full Diplomatic Ties
Following the recognition, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar took to X to announce a concrete next step. He revealed that both countries had agreed to establish comprehensive diplomatic relations. This agreement will involve the mutual appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies. Minister Saar stated he had immediately instructed his ministry to begin work on institutionalizing ties across a wide spectrum of cooperative fields.
Further cementing the new relationship, Prime Minister Netanyahu has extended a formal invitation to President Abdullahi to visit Israel. According to the statement from Netanyahu's office, the Somaliland leader expressed gratitude for what he termed a historic declaration.
Decades-Long Quest for Recognition
This development represents a significant breakthrough for the region of Somaliland, which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991. For over three decades, it has functioned with its own government, currency, and security forces while tirelessly campaigning for international recognition. Securing such recognition has been the paramount objective for President Abdullahi since he assumed office last year.
The move by Israel is likely to have considerable geopolitical repercussions in the Horn of Africa and the wider Middle East. It introduces a new player into regional diplomacy and could potentially encourage other nations to reconsider their stance on Somaliland's statehood. For Israel, it marks a continued expansion of its diplomatic footprint under the Abraham Accords paradigm, reaching beyond the Arab world.
