Israel recognizes Somaliland, drawing international rebukes

Sunday, December 28, 2025 -Israel has made a historic move by becoming the first United Nations member state to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign nation, a decision announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 26, 2025 and formalized with a joint declaration signed with Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. 

This diplomatic breakthrough establishes full relations between the two governments, with plans for cooperation across areas like agriculture, technology, health, and economic development. The Somaliland leadership welcomed the recognition as a long‑sought milestone that could open doors to broader international legitimacy.

However, the recognition has immediately ignited a wave of international condemnation. Somalia’s federal government denounced Israel’s action as an unlawful affront to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling the move a “deliberate attack” on national unity and pledging to pursue diplomatic, political, and legal responses. 

The African Union echoed this position, warning that the decision risks setting a “dangerous precedent” for the continent’s peace and stability by undermining the inviolability of borders. Regional blocs like IGAD and the Arab League, along with countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, China, Iran, Nigeria and others, condemned the recognition as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.

The backlash has also drawn concern from global powers. The United States has made clear it does not plan to follow Israel’s lead, underscoring respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity, while the European Union called for renewed dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa. Critics warn that the move could inflame tensions in the Horn of Africa and beyond, complicate peace efforts, and challenge widely accepted norms on sovereignty and diplomatic recognition. 

Supporters argue that Israel’s decision could shift geopolitical dynamics in a strategic region along key shipping routes, but the broad international rebukes highlight deep anxiety about the potential ramifications of this unprecedented diplomatic step.