Israel’s announcement on 26 December that it had formally recognised the Republic of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state has elicited a wide range of reactions from world leaders and governments, highlighting the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding Africa’s Horn and Middle Eastern diplomacy.

This step marked the first international recognition of Somaliland since it declared independence from Somalia in 1991, altering long-standing regional dynamics and drawing swift responses from several key capitals. 

In Washington, President Donald Trump indicated that the United States is not yet prepared to follow Israel’s lead.

In an interview published on the same day as the declaration, Trump said he needed to study the matter further and was not ready to embrace formal recognition of Somaliland’s independence, underscoring that his administration was prioritising other diplomatic objectives, including implementation of the October Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction efforts.

He stressed that any decision on recognition would be taken carefully. 

Saudi Arabia, a major regional power, rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming its long-standing support for the territorial integrity of Somalia and expressing concern that unilateral recognition could undermine regional peace and stability.

Riyadh’s position reflects broader concerns among Arab and African states about the precedent set by recognising a breakaway region without a negotiated political settlement. 

Turkey also condemned the move, firmly backing Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ankara’s foreign ministry characterised the recognition as a violation of international norms and warned that it could exacerbate instability in the Horn of Africa, where Turkey has developed significant diplomatic and security partnerships with Mogadishu in recent years. 

Beyond these capitals, a coalition of more than twenty mainly African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, issued a joint rejection of Israel’s recognition.

Their statement voiced concerns about potential ramifications for peace and security not only in Somaliland and Somalia, but across the broader Horn of Africa and Red Sea corridor. 

Reacting to the development, Somalia’s federal government denounced Israel’s recognition as unlawful and a deliberate affront to its sovereignty.

Mogadishu reiterated that Somaliland remains an integral part of its territory and said it would pursue diplomatic and legal measures to defend its internationally recognised borders. 

While the United States has maintained that it recognises Somalia’s territorial integrity and has not endorsed Israel’s decision, some U.S. lawmakers and political figures have previously advocated for Somaliland’s recognition, citing its long-standing autonomous governance and strategic location near the Gulf of Aden.

These voices, however, have not swayed the administration’s official policy stance at this stage.