Sunday December 28, 2025
Hargeisa (HOL) – Somaliland’s House of Representatives on Saturday approved Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, despite widespread international condemnation of the move as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity.
In a statement, the parliament of the breakaway region described Israel’s recognition as a “courageous and principled step,” saying it marks significant progress in Somaliland’s long-running quest for international recognition.
The resolution also recalled that Israel had expressed a similar position on June 26, 1960, when it became the first country to recognize Somaliland during its brief period of independence before uniting with Somalia.
Lawmakers called on the international community and global institutions to respect Somaliland’s right to self-determination and to allow its people to determine their own political future, urging other countries to follow Israel’s example.
The parliament further warned against any interference in Somaliland’s internal affairs, saying such actions would undermine international law and the democratic aspirations of the people of Somaliland. It appealed to the international community to support Somaliland’s efforts toward stability, development, and formal international recognition.
Israel’s recognition has been rejected by the Arab League, the European Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the African Union (AU), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), all of which have reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not gained international recognition. The region has continued to press for statehood for more than three decades, with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro making international recognition a central priority since taking office last year.