Why Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland Has Triggered Global Backlash

Israel’s decision to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state has sent shockwaves across Africa and the Middle East, triggering swift diplomatic condemnation and raising fears of renewed instability in the already fragile Horn of Africa. While the move may appear symbolic, its geopolitical consequences are anything but — touching questions of sovereignty, regional rivalries, and the future of international norms around secession.

What is Somaliland and why its status is disputed?

Somaliland is a self-declared republic located in northwestern Somalia, with its capital in Hargeisa. It broke away from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the Siad Barre regime and a brutal civil war. Since then, it has functioned with its own government, currency, security forces and electoral processes.

Yet, no country had formally recognised Somaliland as a sovereign state until now. The international community has largely upheld Somalia’s territorial integrity, fearing that recognition of breakaway regions could encourage fragmentation across Africa, where colonial-era borders remain deeply sensitive.

Mogadishu has consistently rejected Somaliland’s claim to independence, but lacks the political cohesion and military capacity to reintegrate the region by force.

Why Israel’s recognition is a diplomatic rupture

Israel’s move is unprecedented. By recognising Somaliland, it has broken with decades of international consensus on Somalia’s unity. The decision immediately drew condemnation from Somalia and several regional and extra-regional actors.

Countries including Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti issued strong statements rejecting the recognition and reaffirming their support for Somalia’s sovereignty. For them, the concern goes beyond Somalia itself. The fear is that legitimising Somaliland could set a precedent for other separatist regions worldwide — from Africa to the Middle East — destabilising already volatile regions.

The Horn of Africa’s fragile balance

The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most geopolitically sensitive regions. Somalia continues to battle the extremist group al-Shabaab. Ethiopia faces internal ethnic conflicts and strained relations with its neighbours. Tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over port access have already escalated in recent years.

In this context, recognition of Somaliland risks altering regional power equations. A newly recognised Somaliland could seek security guarantees, foreign military partnerships, and greater strategic autonomy — moves that neighbouring states may view as threatening.

Abraham Accords and wider Middle East politics

Another layer of concern stems from Somaliland’s reported interest in joining the Abraham Accords — the US-brokered normalisation framework between Israel and several Arab states.

For countries like Egypt and Turkey, this raises alarms about Israel expanding its diplomatic and strategic footprint into the Horn of Africa, potentially sidelining Arab and regional interests along critical Red Sea and Gulf of Aden trade routes.

Such anxieties explain why opposition to Israel’s move came not only from Somalia but also from influential Middle Eastern capitals.

The United States’ cautious response

The United States has so far stopped short of endorsing Israel’s decision. US President Donald Trump publicly distanced himself from immediate recognition, stating that the matter would be “studied”.

Washington’s hesitation reflects competing priorities: maintaining close ties with Israel, avoiding destabilisation in East Africa, and preserving its long-standing policy of supporting Somalia’s territorial integrity. A shift in US position would significantly alter the diplomatic landscape, but for now, ambiguity prevails.

Somaliland’s long quest for legitimacy

For Somaliland, Israel’s recognition is a breakthrough decades in the making. The region has cultivated informal ties with several countries, including the UK, the US and the UAE, hosts foreign representative offices, and participates in international forums as an observer.

Supporters argue that Somaliland has demonstrated more political stability and democratic practice than much of Somalia, and therefore deserves recognition. Critics counter that stability alone cannot override international law principles or regional security concerns.

Why the backlash matters beyond Somalia

At its core, the controversy is about global norms. The post-Cold War international system has generally resisted recognising unilateral secessions, except in exceptional circumstances. Israel’s decision challenges that restraint.

If other states follow suit, it could embolden separatist movements elsewhere and weaken the principle of territorial integrity — a cornerstone of the United Nations system. That is why the reaction has been swift and unusually coordinated.

What lies ahead

Whether Israel’s recognition remains an isolated move or becomes the first crack in a larger diplomatic shift will depend on how major powers respond. For now, Somaliland’s status remains contested, Somalia’s unity remains fragile, and the Horn of Africa stands at another geopolitical crossroads.

The episode underlines a hard truth of international politics: recognition is never just about one territory — it reshapes regions, alliances and the rules of the global order itself.