By: Abdullahi Jama
In a move that reeks of geopolitical opportunism, Israel announced on December 26, 2025, its formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first United Nations member to do so since the region’s self-declared independence from Somalia in 1991.
This decision, proclaimed by the Israeli prime minister, marks a new low in Somaliland’s desperate quest for international legitimacy—even at the cost of betraying longstanding solidarity with the Palestinian people. For Somalia, however, this is not a cause for alarm but an opportunity to reaffirm its sovereignty and rally global support against fragmentation.
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞
Somaliland’s leaders have long pursued recognition with a fervor that borders on obsession, isolated as they are from the international community that overwhelmingly views the region as an integral part of Somalia. In their eagerness, they have now aligned with Israel, a nation whose policies toward Palestinians have drawn widespread condemnation from Muslim-majority countries.
This alliance appears to involve Somaliland turning a blind eye to the Palestinian cause—a cause that Somalia has steadfastly supported through diplomatic channels and international forums. By cozying up to Israel, Somaliland’s administration has effectively traded the moral high ground of pan-Arab and pan-Islamic solidarity for a single, isolated endorsement.
This move underscores their vulnerability: after decades of failed lobbying, they are willing to compromise core values, such as support for Palestinian self-determination, just to gain a foothold on the world stage.
It is no secret that Somaliland has struggled economically and politically without broad recognition. Lacking access to international financial institutions and facing ongoing disputes with Somalia, its leaders see any acknowledgment—even from a polarizing actor like Israel—as a lifeline. But this shortsighted strategy ignores the broader context: most Muslim nations, including powerhouses like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, remain committed to Palestinian rights and are unlikely to follow suit.
𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭
On the other side of this equation is Israel, which has aggressively sought normalization with Muslim countries to bolster its regional standing and marginalize the Palestinian issue.
Through initiatives like the Abraham Accords, Israel has secured ties with nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, often in exchange for economic incentives or security guarantees.
Recognizing Somaliland fits neatly into this pattern: Israel gains a foothold in the Horn of Africa and another Muslim-majority entity (albeit unrecognized) that implicitly downplays the Palestinian struggle in favor of bilateral relations.
Netanyahu’s announcement emphasizes plans to “expand” ties immediately, suggesting strategic interests in Somaliland’s ports and resources. Yet this is less about genuine partnership and more about Israel’s broader agenda of isolating Palestinians on the global stage.
By courting entities desperate for validation, Israel aims to create a façade of widespread acceptance among Muslim populations, even as it continues policies that many view as oppressive. Somaliland, in this narrative, becomes a pawn in a larger game—one that prioritizes Israeli interests over regional stability or justice for Palestinians.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬
Despite the fanfare, Israel’s solitary recognition is unlikely to trigger a domino effect for Somaliland. The international community, including major powers like the United States, the European Union, and African Union members, has consistently upheld Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Somaliland remains unrecognized by any other UN member state, and this move by Israel—a nation facing boycotts and criticism over its Gaza policies—carries little weight in diplomatic circles.
African nations, bound by the African Union’s principle of preserving colonial borders, are particularly resistant to recognizing breakaway regions, fearing it could encourage separatism elsewhere. Muslim countries, many of which prioritize the Palestinian cause, will view this alliance with suspicion, seeing it as a betrayal rather than a model to emulate. Even potential sympathizers, such as Ethiopia, have stopped short of full recognition.
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝: 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
The Federal Government of Somalia has every tool at its disposal to counter this development and prevent further erosion of its sovereignty.
Beyond rhetoric, Somalia can activate its robust diplomatic networks to apply pressure where it matters most.
Key allies like Turkey and Saudi Arabia—both of which maintain strong ties with Somalia—are pivotal. These nations also enjoy favorable relations with U.S. President Donald Trump. Somalia should urge Ankara and Riyadh to lobby Washington against following Israel’s lead, emphasizing how recognizing Somaliland would destabilize the Horn of Africa and undermine counterterrorism efforts.
By framing the issue as a threat to regional peace and Islamic solidarity—particularly in light of the Palestinian cause—Somalia can persuade its allies to intervene diplomatically.
In conclusion, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is a desperate ploy by both parties that ultimately weakens their positions. For Somaliland, it is a hollow achievement that alienates potential supporters and exposes a willingness to compromise principles. For Israel, it is another attempt to manufacture alliances at the expense of justice.
Somalia, with its legitimate government and growing international partnerships, stands firm. By strategically deploying its diplomatic arsenal, Mogadishu can ensure this episode remains an isolated incident in the face of unbreakable Somali unity.
Bottom line: Without support from major powers, regional blocs, or neighboring states, recognition by a single country does not alter Somaliland’s legal status. International norms, alliance politics, and the African Union framework make a wider recognition cascade highly unlikely.
Abdullahi Jama is a structural engineer with a keen interest in politics, diplomacy, and global affairs.