A man holds a flag of Somaliland in front of the War Memorial monument in Hargeisa on November 7, 2024. Photo: LUIS TATO / AFP / Profimedia
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel officially recognizes the “independent and sovereign state'' of Somaliland, a first recognition of this self-proclaimed republic, which seceded from Somalia and is not recognized by any other state in the world, reports AFP, according to News.ro.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu, his head of diplomacy (Gideon) Saar and the president of the Republic of Somaliland signed a joint and mutual declaration”, announced in a statement the press services of the head of the Israeli Government.
The Prime Minister announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Sa'ar, and the President of the Republic of Somaliland signed a joint and mutual declaration. pic.twitter.com/M0AeTs5oxY
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 26, 2025
The move represents a major advance for Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has so far failed to gain recognition from any United Nations member state. The region controls the northwestern part of the territory that was formerly part of the British Protectorate of Northern Somalia, according to Al Jazeera.
Somalia never accepted the independence of Somaliland. A Somali government source told Al Jazeera that the executive was to meet urgently on Friday evening to discuss the government's official position on the matter.
Somaliland has built a distinct political identity from Somalia, having its own currency, flag and parliament. However, its eastern regions remain contested, contested by communities that do not support the separatist project promoted by the authorities in the capital Hargeisa.
In recent years, Somaliland has developed relations with the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan in an attempt to gain international recognition.
