Why did Israel recognize the breakaway African nation as an independent nation?

Israel has made the controversial decision to recognize the breakaway state of Somaliland as an independent nation, sparking condemnation from many other countries.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian condemned the decision, telling reporters: “No country should encourage or support separatist forces within another country for its own selfish interests.”

China made its position known ahead of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss Israel’s decision.

Israel on Friday became the first country in the world to recognize Somaliland as an independent republic, more than 30 years after Somaliland declared independence from Somalia.

Somaliland’s president called the development a “historic moment”, but Somalia has fiercely rejected Israel’s move, calling it an attack on its sovereignty.

Dozens of countries and organizations, including Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and the African Union, also condemned Israel’s surprise declaration.

Somaliland, a semi-desert region on the coast of the Gulf of Aden, declared independence in 1991 after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre.

The move follows separatist fighting as Siad Barre’s forces pursue rebel guerrillas in the territory. Tens of thousands of people died and villages were leveled.

Although not internationally recognized, Somaliland has a functioning political system, government institutions, police force, and its own currency.

Somalia’s history as a unique region dates back to colonial rule in the 19th century. It was a British protectorate (British Somaliland) until 1960 when it merged with Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic.

Those in favor of Somaliland independence argue that the region is mainly inhabited by the Isaaq clan, who are ethnically different from the rest of Somalia.

Additionally, Somaliland, with a population of approximately 6 million people, enjoys relative peace and stability. Supporters say it should not be tied to Somalia, which has long been hit by attacks by Islamist militants.

However, Somalia considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory. The government in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, has repeatedly said that recognizing Somaliland’s independence would be a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also called Israel’s declaration an “existential threat” to Somali unity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a phone call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohammed Abdullahi on Friday that Israel recognizes Somaliland’s “right to self-determination.”

He also said formal recognition would be a “great opportunity to expand” the partnership between the two countries.

But analysts say there are strategic reasons for Israel’s declaration.

“Israel needs allies in the Red Sea region for a variety of strategic reasons,” the Israeli think tank National Security Institute said in a paper last month, referring to the Iran-backed Yemeni rebels.

“Somaliland is an ideal candidate for this cooperation because it can offer Israel the possibility of accessing operational areas close to the conflict zone.”

Israel has repeatedly attacked targets in Yemen since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. It was a response to Houthi attacks on Israel, where the rebels said they were in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In response to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, the Houthis warned that Israel’s presence in Somaliland would be considered a “military target” for their forces.

Several months ago, multiple media outlets reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland about the possibility of resettlement of Palestinians forcibly expelled from the Gaza Strip.

Israel did not comment on the report, but Somaliland said at the time that any move by Israel to recognize its independence would have nothing to do with the Palestinian issue. Both Somalia and the Palestinian Authority have suggested that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland could be linked to plans to displace Palestinians.

Somalia’s president told parliament on Sunday: “Somalia will never allow the Palestinian people to be forcibly driven far from their rightful land.”

US Africa analyst Cameron Hudson told the BBC that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was part of its efforts to counter Iranian influence in the Red Sea region.

“The Red Sea is also the conduit through which weapons and fighter jets flow through the Red Sea and into the eastern Mediterranean. The Red Sea has traditionally been a source of support and supplies for fighters in Gaza. So having a presence, a security presence, an intelligence presence at the mouth of the Red Sea can only serve Israel’s national security interests,” he said.

Israel has been criticized by Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the African Union, Yemen, Sudan, Nigeria, Libya, Iran, Iraq and Qatar.

Many of these countries cited Somalia’s “territorial integrity” and violations of international principles in their condemnation.

The African Union has long been concerned that recognizing Somaliland could trigger a chain reaction that could lead separatists to demand recognition of the territory they claim.

Abdurahman Sayed, a British Horn of Africa analyst, told the BBC: “Regions may try to build external alliances without the consent of the central government, which could set a dangerous precedent that could lead to widespread instability.”

Countries considered Somaliland’s allies or sympathetic to Somaliland’s recognition campaign have mostly remained quiet.

For example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which operates a military presence in Somaliland, did not issue a statement.

Prime Minister Hudson told the BBC that the UAE was “working very closely with Israel on the Somaliland issue”.

“Even now, we will see the interests of Israel and the United Arab Emirates align throughout the Red Sea region,” he added.

The Ethiopian government also refrained from commenting. Last year, Somaliland agreed to lease part of its coastline to landlocked Ethiopia, a move that angered Somalia.

Prime Minister Abdurrahman said Turkey had intervened to mediate between Somalia and Ethiopia. This led Ethiopia to sign an agreement with the Somali government to respect its territorial integrity.

“As a result, Addis Ababa appears to have adopted a cautious “wait-and-see” approach, even though Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland would be quietly welcomed by Ethiopia,” the analyst added.

Somalilanders had hoped the United States would recognize it as an independent nation, following a signal given by President Donald Trump before he began his second term as president.

However, in response to Israel’s declaration, Trump hinted to the New York Post that he would not immediately follow Prime Minister Netanyahu’s instructions.

“Does anyone know what Somaliland actually is?” he said.