"Somaliland, a self-governing region in northern Somalia, declared independence in 1991 following the collapse of Somali ruler Siad Barre's military regime. Tens of thousands of people were killed in the late 1980s as Barre's forces pursued rebel groups in the territory. Many Somalilanders argue the union with Somalia was unlawful and had failed, fuelling demands for self-rule and a separate, stable state."
"Despite maintaining its own government, currency and security forces, Somaliland has never been internationally recognized. 'While Mogadishu has allowed some form of autonomy, it has not granted the territory to secede from the rest of the country,' security and geopolitical analyst Fidel Amakye Owusu told DW. Owusu described Israel's move as a 'calculated geopolitical decision.' He says Israel sees a foothold in the Horn of Africa as beneficial for long-term security interests in a region close to key maritime routes and ongoing security threats."
Israel recognized Somaliland as an independent state on December 26, 2025, prompting protests in Somalia and diplomatic concerns from Mogadishu and the African Union over regional stability and territorial integrity. Somaliland declared independence in 1991, maintains its own government, currency and security forces, and holds regular elections, yet remains largely unrecognized internationally. Historical violence under Siad Barre and claims that the union with Somalia was unlawful underpin Somalilanders' demands for separate statehood. Analysts warn the recognition could embolden secessionist movements elsewhere in Africa. Israel framed the move as a geopolitical strategy to gain a foothold near key maritime routes and security hotspots.
Read at www.dw.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]