Israel has become the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia’s longstanding opposition to its secession.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
Netanyahu says the declaration "is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump".
The 2020 accords were brokered by Trump's first administration and included Israel formalising diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries joining later.
Meanwhile, Egypt says Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss what they described as dangerous developments in the Horn of Africa following Israel's announcement.
The ministers condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland, reaffirmed their full support for Somalia's unity and territorial integrity, and warned that recognising breakaway regions poses a threat to international peace and security, Egypt's foreign ministry said.
Somaliland has enjoyed effective autonomy, and relative peace and stability, since 1991 when Somalia descended into civil war, but the breakaway region has failed to receive recognition from any other country.
Over the years, Somalia has rallied international actors against any country recognising Somaliland.
The former British protectorate hopes that recognition by Israel will encourage other nations to follow suit, increasing its diplomatic heft and access to international markets.
In March, Somalia and its breakaway region of Somaliland also denied receiving any proposal from the United States or Israel to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, with Mogadishu saying it categorically rejected any such move.
Source: BBC News/Reuters
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