Tel Aviv, Dec 28, (dpa/GNA) – Somaliland’s Foreign Minister, Abdirahman Dahir Adam, has welcomed Israel’s recognition of his country, despite criticism from other regional states.
“This recognition is not only a diplomatic milestone, but also a moment of great historical justice and moral clarity,” he told Israeli broadcaster Kan. He stressed that Somaliland had not agreed to take in people from the Gaza Strip in return.
Cooperation with Israel will focus on diplomacy, trade, technology, agriculture, water management, health and security, according to the minister. “Somaliland seeks partnership that is transparent, peaceful and beneficial for both countries.”
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland strengthens the East African republic’s image as a “stable, democratic and responsible state in a fragile region,” the minister said.
On Friday, Israel became the first country in the world to recognize the breakaway region of Somaliland as a sovereign state. Somaliland, a Muslim region in northern Somalia with only a few million inhabitants, has been virtually independent for more than three decades.
Israel’s move came a few days before Somalia takes over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council. The Somali government spoke of a “deliberate” and “illegal” attack by Israel on the country’s sovereignty.
According to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the recognition was made “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” agreements initiated by US President Donald Trump in 2020 during his first term in office.
As a result, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan normalized their relations with Israel.
Israeli media pointed out that Somaliland is located not far from the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait, where the Yemeni Houthi militia has repeatedly attacked international merchant ships with alleged links to Israel.
The Times of Israel wrote that access to Somaliland’s territory and airspace would make it easier for Israel to carry out attacks against the Houthis and to monitor them.
The UN Security Council is convening an emergency meeting in response to Israel’s decision. Ahead of the meeting scheduled for Monday in New York, 21 predominantly Muslim countries issued a joint statement warning of “serious repercussions” of Israel’s unprecedented action for “peace and security” in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea as well as for international security.
GNA