Israel declared on Friday, 26 December, that it viewed Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a move that drew a sharp rebuke from Somalia, which described the statement as an affront to its sovereignty and warned it could destabilize the region. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, the first country to formally recognize Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, planned to move quickly to deepen cooperation in areas including agriculture, health care, and technology. The move was welcomed by Somaliland’s President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, calling it “a historic moment” and a step toward regional and global peace. On the other hand, Hamza Abdi Barre, Somalia’s prime minister, said the government firmly rejected Israel’s move, which he described as an intentional violation of the country’s sovereignty. In 1991, Somaliland proclaimed its independence from Somalia and has sought international recognition ever since, an effort that President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has elevated to a central goal since assuming office last year. Israel’s recognition could pave the way for other nations to follow suit, potentially boosting Somaliland’s diplomatic standing and access to international markets. However, the decision has drawn…
