Somaliland Foreign Minister: Israeli recognition is not linked to Gaza conflict

Last Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state. The recognition was celebrated in Somaliland, while Arab states strongly condemned it.

Against the backdrop of Israel’s recognition of his country, Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam was interviewed on Sunday morning (today) on Kan News Radio (Reshet Bet).

“We view Somaliland–Israel relations as a direct partnership with a forward-looking horizon,” he said in an interview on the program HaBoker HaZeh. “Israel was among the first countries to recognize Somaliland in 1960, and the renewed recognition today reflects historical continuity rather than a new development. Cooperation between us will focus on diplomacy, trade, technology, agriculture, water resource management, health, and security. Somaliland seeks open, peace-oriented partnerships that will benefit both countries.”

The foreign minister declined to comment on remarks by U.S. President Trump, and assessed that the move would also positively affect Somaliland–U.S. relations saying, “Israel’s recognition of Somaliland strengthens the growing international recognition of Somaliland as a stable, democratic, and responsible state in a fragile region. We believe that more countries, including the United States and key global partners, are increasingly reassessing their policies based on principles of international law and on three decades of peace, good governance, stability, functional independence, and a democratic tradition in Somaliland.”

According to him, Israel’s recognition is not the result of any deal related to the Gaza issue: “Somaliland has not discussed or agreed to host or transfer people from the Gaza Strip. Somaliland’s foreign policy is based on international law, sovereignty, and humanitarian principles. Any other claim is false and intended to mislead public opinion.”

Following condemnations by Arab states and their support for the territorial integrity of Somalia, he added, “Our message is to respect this and engage in dialogue. Somaliland’s status is rooted in historical facts. Recognition of Somaliland does not harm regional peace and does not undermine the interests of neighboring countries.”

Somaliland is a separatist region located in northwestern Somalia. It is a former British colony that united in 1960 with Italian Somalia to form the state of Somalia. Following Somalia’s collapse amid a major crisis, Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and has since effectively functioned as a de facto independent state, with its capital in Hargeisa, but without international recognition. Over the past decade, Somaliland has received significant support from the United Arab Emirates.