Israel has become the first country to officially recognise the Republic of Somaliland, a move that signals a potential shift in the Jewish state’s military strategy in the Horn of Africa.
On Friday 26 December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for “immediate co-operation” with Somaliland in the fields of health, agriculture, technology, and the economy.
Netanyahu, together with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition.
According to Netanyahu, the pact was made in accordance with the Abraham Accords, “signed at the initiative of [United States] President [Donald] Trump”.
Abdullahi, for his part, hailed the agreement as a step towards regional and global peace.
What does the recognition mean for Israel?
Strategically, Israel’s recognition of the separatist state aligns with its interests in the Red Sea, particularly near the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab Strait – a key maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.
Analysts have noted that gaining access to this area could give Israel economic and security advantages against piracy threats and targeted Houthi attacks.
According to a November report by the Israeli think tank, Institute for National Security Studies, access to Somaliland’s territory could provide Israel a “forward base for multiple missions” on intelligence gathering, particularly regarding Houthis’ armament efforts.
Given Somaliland’s proximity to Yemen, the rebel group’s bastion, this could also give Israel a military advantage in conducting aerial and naval attacks should a large-scale war happen between the two forces.
Somaliland, a breakaway state of Somalia, is a self-proclaimed republic and maintains its own currency, passport, and armed forces.
Currently, it hosts a military base operated by the United Arab Emirates as part of its anti-Houthi campaign.
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Somalia, AU condemn ‘attack’ on Somalian sovereignty
Somalia’s government and the African Union (AU) condemned the recognition.
Somalia described it as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty and vowed to pursue all necessary diplomatic and legal measures.
The AU warned the decision could “set a dangerous precedent” for continental stability.
Turkey, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority also voiced strong opposition, calling the move an “interference in Somalia’s internal affairs”.
Likewise, Trump opposed the recognition, asking in a local media interview: “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?”
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KC Maderia 
Newsjustnews writers 
John Christopher Aquino