Israel’s Move Could Reshape Horn of Africa and Red Sea Geopolitics
Israel has reportedly become the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation, a major diplomatic development that could significantly reshape political and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
According to emerging reports, the Israeli Foreign Minister visited Somaliland this week, where he held high-level talks with the leadership of the self-declared republic in its capital, Hargeisa.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Somali central government. Despite operating as a de facto state for over three decades—with its own government, security forces, currency, and periodic elections—it has remained unrecognized by the international community.
The development is expected to trigger reactions from Somalia, which maintains that Somaliland remains part of its sovereign territory, as well as from the African Union, which has traditionally opposed unilateral recognition of breakaway states.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statements have been issued by the Israeli government or relevant international bodies, while authorities in Somalia are yet to respond publicly.
Observers say further clarifications in the coming days will determine whether the reported recognition marks a turning point in Somaliland’s decades-long quest for international legitimacy.
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