Israel announced plans to establish full diplomatic relations with Somaliland after a high-level meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), saying the two sides have been engaged in quiet communication for more than a year.
According to the announcement, both parties agreed to begin the process of opening embassies and formal diplomatic missions.
Somali Federal Government Responds
The Federal Government of Somalia convened an emergency cabinet meeting in Mogadishu.
Although there is not official statement somali officials emphasized that any external engagement with Somaliland as a “separate state” undermines Somalia’s territorial integrity and violates international norms that recognize Somalia as a unified country.
They stated Somalia would pursue diplomatic and legal avenues to defend its territorial sovereignty.
Somaliland’s Status: A Complex Reality
Somaliland declared independence unilaterally in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia’s central government. Since then, it has developed its own political institutions, administrative system, and security structures, achieving relative stability compared to other regions.
However, no United Nations member state officially recognizes Somaliland as an independent country, and the African Union continues to treat it as part of Somalia.
At the same time, the situation within Somaliland’s claimed territory is not uniform:
• Regions such as Sool, Eastern Sanaag, and parts of Ayn do not fully align with separation and have experienced conflict and political division.
• Local clan dynamics and differing political preferences mean Somaliland does not represent a single, unified separatist voice across the entire claimed territory.
Regional and International Implications
International recognition attempts related to Somaliland have historically sparked diplomatic debate, particularly within Africa where respect for colonial-era borders and national unity remains a core principle of the African Union.
Analysts warn that unilateral recognition moves may inflame regional tensions, encourage separatist precedents, and complicate ongoing political reconciliation efforts in Somalia.
The Somali government reiterated its commitment to dialogue-based solutions and called for the international community to respect Somalia’s sovereignty and unity.