Name: Israel announces recognition of Somaliland as sovereign state
Uploaded: 2025-12-27T13:42:49.914Z
Duration: 2 min 8 s
Description: Israel has become the first country in the world to recognize the east African region of Somaliland as an independent state, the Israeli government announced, prompting international backlash.

Israel has become the first country in the world to recognize the east African region of Somaliland as an independent state, the Israeli government announced, prompting international backlash.

Somaliland

Israel has announced its official recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state following a video call between the Israeli Prime Minister and the President of Somaliland. During the call, a document was signed affirming Somaliland's right to self-determination and outlining intentions for future cooperation in economic, agricultural, and social development.

The decision has been welcomed by Somaliland's leadership, who emphasized the territory's fulfillment of statehood criteria under international law. However, Somalia, the African Union, Egypt, Turkey, and Djibouti have condemned the move, citing concerns about regional stability and the precedent it may set. The motivations behind Israel's recognition remain unclear, and previous reports of discussions about resettling Palestinians in Somaliland have been denied by Somaliland's officials.

Israel announces recognition of Somaliland as 'sovereign state'

The Israeli Prime Minister is on a video call with the President of Somaliland. During the call, he signs a document that recognizes Somaliland and its right to self-determination. This will be a great opportunity for expanding our partnership. We intend to work together with you on economic fields, on agriculture, in the fields of social development. All the things that we hope we can assist you and we obviously believe in this friendship. And I have to tell you that there is a lot of excitement here in Israel as well. A decision quickly appreciated by the Somaliland leader. Somaliland meets the legal, political and institutional criteria of statehood under international law. I express my whole-hearted appreciation to the state of Israel for its brave decision which reflects both its historical continuity and confidence in Somaliland's administrative commitment. Somaliland is a territory of around 5 million people. It ceded from Somalia more than three decades ago. Somalia still claims it and was quick to call Israel's recognition unlawful. In a statement, the African Union said, Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent. Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti have all condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland. The reasons behind Israel's recognition of Somaliland are unclear. Earlier this year, US and Israeli officials told the news agency The Associated Press that Israel had approached Somaliland about taking in Palestinians from Gaza as part of Donald Trump's plan at the time to resettle their territory's population. The US has since abandoned that plan. Somaliland said at the time that there had been no such discussions.

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