Israel recognizes Somaliland as a 'country'

Israel has officially decided to recognize the breakaway region of Somaliland as a country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Somaliland is recognized as an "independent and sovereign country." stating that Israel is the first country totake this decision. In a statement made via social media,Netanyahuannouncedthat with the participation of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Somaliland'sso-called Presistated that a mutual declaration was signed with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. The Israeli Prime Minister noted thatthe declaration in questionis in line with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which were signed under the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump, and extended his congratulations to Abdullahi. Netanyahu said, "Israel plans to immediately expand its relations with the Republic of Somaliland through comprehensive cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, technology, and the economy."

Netanyahu alsoinvited Somaliland PresidentAbdullahi for an official visit to Israel.invited to Israel. On social media the statement made viaalsoincludedphotos of Netanyahu and Abdullah'svideo calland the signing of the declaration.

Condemnation from Turkey, Egypt, Somalia, and Djibouti

In a statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was noted that Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone conversations with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, and Djiboutian Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar to discuss the situation.carried out by. In the statement, it was confirmed that the ministers completely condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland, and full support was expressed for Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It was stated that full support was given. Furthermore, any actions that would harm Somali sovereignty or stability in the countryany and all unilateralactions that wouldshake the foundations were also condemned. Thestatementalso emphasized support for Somalia's legitimate institutions and attempts to impose parallel structuresthat are contrary to the country's unity were also condemned.

Countries with liaison offices in Somaliland

Somaliland declared its unilateral separation from Somalia in 1991, but had not been recognized as an independent state by anycountry. Although the international community has not decided to recognize Somaliland, some countries,including the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), havemaintained It is known that countries maintain liaison offices in Somaliland.

Turkey's mediation role in Somalia

Turkey's initiatives as a reliable actor in the Horn of Africa region for the peace and stability of the region are continuing.maintaineditis known. In this context, Turkey has been playing a facilitating rolein thenegotiations between the Somali Federal Government and the Somaliland regional administration since 2013. Furthermore,between Ethiopia and Somalia in July 2024, TThe mediationinitiative launched by Turkey, the Ankara Process, involvedtalks with thepartiesthat wereconducted. This within this framework, at the invitation of PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Ankara Declaration was signedduring the talks held in Ankara on December 11, 2024.TheNational Intelligence Academy (MİA)

had previouslypassedIn a report published last month, Turkey's efforts on the Somali-Ethiopian lineconductedthroughthe"Ankara Process" were highlighted ascrucial for ensuring regional peace and stability.It was emphasized that this was a diplomatic initiative, and it was noted that the crisis following the memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland on January 1, 2024, wasresolved through Turkey'sprofessional mediationefforts.