Policy Brief 10 hours ago
This info brief analyses Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December 2025 and its implications for regional security, and geopolitics in the Horn of Africa. Despite functioning as a de facto state since 1991, Somaliland has remained unrecognised due to Somalia’s sovereignty claims. Israel’s move departs from international consensus and has raised concerns about regional stability and separatism.
Summary: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is primarily driven by strategic considerations, including securing access to the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, countering Iranian influence, and strengthening maritime security. For Somaliland, the move provides symbolic legitimacy and the prospect of deeper political, security, and economic engagement. However, the decision has been widely criticised as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity and international legal norms. It has raised concerns about regional instability, the strengthening of militant narratives such as Al-Shabaab’s, and the potential encouragement of separatist movements across Africa. While Israel’s recognition remains largely symbolic, its geopolitical and security repercussions are significant and far-reaching.
