Israel Recognizes Somaliland, Drawing International Rebukes

Middle East|Israel Becomes the First Nation to Recognize Somaliland

Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland, an autonomous region that broke away from Somalia decades ago, in a reciprocal agreement that expands recognition of the Jewish state in the Muslim world.

Somaliland, in northwestern Somalia, has long been in conflict with the central government, declaring independence in 1991 as Somalia descended into civil war and chaos. Since then, Somaliland has governed most of the territory it claims, largely in peace and stability, but it had not received international recognition.

In response to the agreement, Somalia’s government on Friday criticized what it called an “unlawful step” by Israel and said Somaliland was “an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part” of Somalia.

The moves by Israel and Somaliland also drew swift condemnation from some of their neighbors.

Egypt said in a statement that its foreign minister had spoken by phone with his counterparts in Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti and that “they underscored their complete rejection of any unilateral measures that could undermine Somali sovereignty or erode the foundations of stability in the country.”

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairman of the African Union Commission, the bloc’s administrative arm, said in a statement that he firmly rejected any initiative “aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity.” He reaffirmed the position of the union, which represents 55 member states, that Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”