Israel has robustly defended its historic recognition of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state during a United Nations Security Council session, highlighting the region’s longstanding effective governance and historical independence.
Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Jonathan Miller, delivered a detailed statement emphasizing the historical context, including Somaliland’s brief independence in 1960 (recognized by Israel and over 30 other countries at the time), the atrocities faced during Somalia’s civil war—widely acknowledged as genocide—and its successful reassertion of statehood in 1991 with functioning democratic institutions for over 34 years.
Miller stressed that Israel’s recognition is grounded in international law and fact-based reality, noting prior engagements by countries including the UK, Ethiopia, and others. He described the move as fostering close cooperation in economic, technological, agricultural, and diplomatic fields, while promoting regional stability.
The United States provided strong backing for Israel’s decision. US Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce affirmed: “Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state.” The US highlighted the principle of sovereign equality in diplomacy, welcoming the development as consistent with established practices.
In Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, the public celebrated enthusiastically, viewing Israel’s clear affirmation and the US endorsement as major milestones toward broader international acceptance.
Chinese and Turkish media outlets have extensively covered the news regarding the United States’ welcoming of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, portraying it as a move that could encourage other countries to follow suit, and discussing how Somaliland has moved beyond being a purely local issue or whether it should be reintegrated with Somalia.
This recognition represents a historic victory for Somaliland after a long period of diplomatic isolation, and it is expected to lead to significant international support, with the world now awaiting the moment when other countries will join in, where the United States could play a crucial role in the near future.