Israel has formally received its first ambassador from Somaliland, marking a diplomatic milestone as Jerusalem expands relationships with emerging African partners despite the territory's contested international status.
The arrival of Ambassador Mohamed Omar Hagi Mohamoud represents the culmination of growing ties between Israel and Somaliland that began with mutual recognition agreements in 2020, according to the Jerusalem Post. While Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, it remains unrecognized by the United Nations and most international bodies.
In Israel, as across contested regions, security concerns and aspirations for normalcy exist in constant tension. The relationship with Somaliland offers Israel strategic positioning near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, important maritime routes for Israeli commerce and security interests, particularly as regional tensions with Iran and its proxies continue.
Strategic rationale for both sides
For Somaliland, recognition by Israel represents progress toward broader international legitimacy. The territory of 5.7 million people has maintained relative stability, democratic elections, and its own currency and security forces for more than three decades, yet remains diplomatically isolated. Its leaders hope that relationships with established states like Israel will eventually lead to wider recognition.
Israel, meanwhile, continues pursuing its Africa strategy of building relationships across the continent, particularly with states that may support its positions in international forums or offer economic and security cooperation opportunities. The Abraham Accords with United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco demonstrated the potential for Middle Eastern realignments, and Israeli officials see African partnerships as extensions of that diplomatic momentum.
Regional reactions and complications
The Somali federal government in Mogadishu has protested the Israeli-Somaliland relationship, considering it interference in Somali sovereignty. Somalia maintains it has legal authority over Somaliland territory and views the breakaway region's diplomatic activities as illegitimate.
Several Arab League members also expressed concern, viewing the relationship as another example of Israel normalizing ties with Muslim-majority regions while the Palestinian issue remains unresolved. However, the response has been more muted than reactions to the Abraham Accords, partly because Somaliland's unrecognized status makes the diplomatic breakthrough less significant in practical terms.
The relationship may offer tangible benefits beyond symbolism. Israeli expertise in water management, agriculture, and security could assist Somaliland's development efforts, while Somaliland's location provides Israel with potential port access and intelligence positioning in a strategic region where Iranian influence has grown through proxies in Yemen.
Despite the formal ambassadorial exchange, the relationship faces practical limitations. Most international institutions do not recognize Somaliland, restricting potential trilateral cooperation and limiting the economic impact of bilateral trade agreements. Somaliland also lacks membership in regional bodies that could facilitate broader partnerships.
