Somaliland Says Israel Recognition Could Open the Door to the United States
Somaliland’s foreign minister says Israel’s recognition has created a pathway toward closer ties with the United States, while accusing more than 180 countries of ignoring Somaliland’s recognition requests despite its three decades of self-rule.
HARGEISA (Somali Report) — Somaliland’s foreign minister has described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a strategic opportunity that could strengthen ties with the United States, while accusing the international community of ignoring the territory’s decades-long campaign for recognition.
Speaking in an interview with the French publication Le Point, Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan said Somaliland had formally requested recognition from more than 180 countries but had received no response from any of them except Israel.
“We are a functioning democracy that has existed for 35 years. We sent letters to more than 180 countries, but none of them responded. The rest of the world are hypocrites,” the minister said.
His remarks come several months after Israel became the first country to officially recognize Somaliland as an independent state, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough for the self-declared republic that has sought international recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.
Although Somaliland has maintained its own government, military, currency and electoral system for more than three decades, it has remained internationally unrecognized, with most countries continuing to regard it as part of Somalia.
Adan said he believes Israel’s decision could encourage other governments to reconsider their position.
“It is only a matter of time. We have come a long way. Somaliland was built from ruins and ashes. Yet we can contribute to international security, especially in combating the growing threat of piracy. It is time the world recognized Somaliland’s importance,” he said.
The minister argued that Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea gives it growing geopolitical significance at a time when maritime security has become increasingly important.
He also described Israel’s recognition as an opportunity to improve relations with Washington.
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“It is an opportunity. It is the key that opens the door to the United States,” Adan said, suggesting that closer cooperation with Israel could facilitate broader diplomatic engagement with the United States.
His comments reflect Somaliland’s broader effort to leverage new diplomatic partnerships as it seeks wider international acceptance.
The interview comes amid increasing international attention on the Horn of Africa, where competition among regional and global powers has intensified over access to ports, maritime trade routes and security cooperation.
The Port of Berbera, Somaliland’s main commercial gateway, has become one of the territory’s strongest economic and strategic assets. Operated by Dubai-based DP World since 2016, the port serves as an important trade corridor for landlocked Ethiopia and sits near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints.
French publication Le Point, which recently visited Somaliland, described Berbera as central to Somaliland’s argument that it can contribute to regional and international security, including efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
The report also noted that following Israel’s recognition, both sides have expanded cooperation in diplomacy and security. Somaliland has opened diplomatic representation in Jerusalem, while officials have publicly expressed interest in strengthening defence, intelligence and economic ties with Israel.
Somaliland officials hope Israel’s decision will encourage additional countries to extend recognition, particularly regional partners such as Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which maintain significant economic interests in Somaliland.
Somalia’s federal government continues to reject Somaliland’s independence, insisting that the territory remains an integral part of Somalia’s sovereign territory. Mogadishu has repeatedly condemned countries considering formal recognition and has urged international partners to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough with Israel, Somaliland still faces the challenge of convincing the wider international community that recognition would contribute to stability rather than deepen divisions in the Horn of Africa.
About the Author
Fatuma Taxadar Yusuf is the Editor-in-Chief of Somali Report. She was the first woman to serve as an editor and media managing director in Somalia’s Puntland State. Previously, she worked with the BBC World Service and other leading media organizations in Somalia. She also serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Somalia Media Council, an independent body that regulates media standards and professional conduct in Somalia.