Netanyahu Recognises Somaliland, Signals New Frontiers of Peace and Security
Jerusalem, Israel – December 26, 2025
In a major diplomatic development with far-reaching global implications, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially announced Israel’s recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
The recognition marks a historic milestone for the Horn of Africa, as Israel becomes the first country to recognize Somaliland, reinforcing Israel’s expanding footprint in the global peace and security architecture.
The announcement, made via Netanyahu’s official social media platforms, revealed that a joint and mutual declaration was signed between Israel and Somaliland, alongside Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and the President of Somaliland, Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallah.
Netanyahu described the declaration as firmly rooted in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, the landmark peace framework initiated under former U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
The recognition comes on the heels of Netanyahu’s recent Christmas message, in which he reaffirmed Israel’s uncompromising stance against terrorism and expressed solidarity with communities under violent threat across the world.
That message echoed his earlier stern warning to terrorist networks operating in Nigeria, where he condemned the escalating violence against Christians and stressed that terrorism, wherever it festers, would face decisive resistance.
Those warnings were soon followed by U.S. military action against terrorist targets in Nigeria’s Northwest, a sequence of events that many international observers have interpreted as a convergence of allied resolve against global terrorism.
Together, these moments underscore a broader alignment between Israel and the United States in confronting violent extremism and reshaping security cooperation beyond traditional theatres.
In announcing the recognition, Netanyahu praised President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallah for his leadership, commending Somaliland’s commitment to stability, peace, and responsible governance in a region long troubled by insecurity.
He extended an invitation to the Somaliland leader for an official state visit to Israel, signalling the depth of the new diplomatic relationship.
The Somaliland President, in turn, expressed appreciation for Netanyahu’s role in fighting terrorism and advancing regional peace, describing the recognition as historic and transformative for his people.
Netanyahu publicly thanked Foreign Minister Sa’ar, Mossad Director David Barnea, and the Mossad for their contributions to the diplomatic breakthrough, highlighting the strategic and intelligence dimensions underpinning the decision.
He noted that Israel intends to immediately expand relations with Somaliland, with plans for extensive cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, technology, and the economy.
For Somaliland, long seeking international recognition despite decades of self-governance, the move represents a significant diplomatic victory.
For Israel, it reinforces a strategy of building alliances with stable, reform-minded partners while confronting terrorism through both military resolve and diplomatic innovation.
Viewed together with Netanyahu’s Christmas message, his warnings to terrorist groups in Nigeria, and the subsequent U.S. strikes, the recognition of Somaliland sends a clear message: states that pursue stability, reject extremism, and align with global peace initiatives will find partners; those that enable or tolerate terrorism will face mounting pressure.
As geopolitical lines continue to shift, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland may prove to be more than a bilateral act, it may signal a new chapter in how alliances are forged in the fight against terrorism, and how peace is pursued through strength, cooperation, and decisive leadership.
