Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday (December 26, 2025) a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia’s longstanding opposition to its secession.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. In a statement he congratulated Somaliland's President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel.
Mr. Netanyahu said the declaration “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump.”
The 2020 accords were brokered by Mr. Trump’s first administration and included Israel formalising diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries joining later.
Mr. Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland’s President signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, the Israeli statement said.
