Israel’s Bold Somaliland Nod: Horn of Africa Cheers and Jeers ExplodeIsrael’s ground.
Breaking recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state has ignited a firestorm across the Horn of Africa, blending ecstatic celebrations in Hargeisa with vehement condemnations from Somalia and beyond.
This move marks the first formal international acknowledgment after Somaliland’s 34-year quest for legitimacy since breaking from Somalia in 1991.
The development reshapes regional alliances, trade routes, and stability debates.
Street Parties in Somaliland
Hargeisa erupted in joy with flag-waving crowds, dances, and viral social media clips capturing the historic moment.
“Victory for Somaliland!” they chanted.
The flag was hoisted alongside that of Israel in a ceremony broadcast live by Somaliland television stations.
“Mass celebrations are taking place in Hargeisa and across cities of the Republic of Somaliland, as citizens proudly gather to commemorate the historic decision by the Government of Israel,” Somaliland’s foreign ministry said on X.
Somaliland officials celebrated it as a diplomatic triumph, linking it to economic gains from ports like Berbera and prior Ethiopia pacts.
Shamis Mohamed, one of those at a gathering, said people were happy at the development.
“I have not slept since the day the recognition was announced because of excitement,” he told AFP by telephone.
This coverage amplified the euphoria, noting how this validates Somaliland’s stable governance amid Somalia’s turmoil.
“My feelings cannot be estimated today…. Thanks to God for this victory,” enthused Abdirahman Keyse, another Hargeisa resident, also by phone.
Jama Suleyman, another resident, said: “We welcome every country that recognises our existence.”
“For the people of Somalia, our neighbours should not be concerned about this victory; we know they are making noises, but there is nothing that will make Somaliland stop from aiming high,” he added.
Somalia’s Fierce Backlash
Mogadishu slammed the recognition as illegal, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud decrying it as a sovereignty assault; protests saw Ethiopian and Israeli flags torched.
He denounced Israel’s decision as “tantamount to a blunt aggression against the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the unity of the people of the Somali Republic”.
He added that “the violations of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and his attempts to divide the Federal Republic of Somalia is (a) threat to the security and stability of the world and the region”.
The African Union echoed the outrage, fearing a precedent for separatists, while Arab states and IGAD allies rallied behind Somalia’s unity.
The ChaosToday’s frame the “recognition row” with global pushback stories and opinion pieces urging Africa to embrace Somaliland for peace.
Weekend bulletins previewed the tensions, positioning Kenya as a cautious observer amid trade stakes and Al-Shabaab threats.
Regional analysts believe that a rapprochement with Somaliland would provide Israel with better access to the Red Sea, enabling it to hit Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Israel repeatedly struck targets in Yemen after the Gaza war broke out in October 2023, in response to Houthi attacks on Israel that the rebels said were in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Iran-backed Houthis have halted their attacks since a fragile truce began in Gaza in October.
In addition, press reports a few months ago said Somaliland was among a handful of African territories willing to host Palestinians expelled by Israel.
Neither the Somaliland authorities nor the Israeli government has commented on those reports.
“Somalia will never accept the people of Palestine to be forcibly evicted from their rightful land to a faraway place, let it be Somalia or elsewhere,” Mohamud told parliament.
But at the Hargeisa rally, Khadar Hussein Abdi, minister of the presidency of Somaliland, sought to allay fears.
“The recognition and the arrival of Israel will not create violence, will not bring conflict and will never harm anyone,” he said.
Somaliland will collaborate with Israel on improving the economy, agricultural production and on water, he added.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was criticised by the African Union, Egypt, Turkey, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The European Union insisted Somalia’s sovereignty should be respected.
Geopolitical Waves for Kenya and East Africa, Ethiopia’s earlier MOU set the stage, but Israel’s step escalates risks of proxy conflicts or piracy spikes, per analysts.
Kenya balances IGAD loyalty with Berbera trade perks that ease Mombasa pressures. Optimists eye economic blocs; skeptics warn of fragmentation from South Sudan onward.