#somaliland-independence

#somaliland-independence

Somalia and Turkiye have close political and security ties, with Ankara emerging as a regional rival to Israel in recent months. Small gatherings also took place in Borama, a city in western Somaliland, where the population has appeared more ambivalent about separation from Somalia, to express opposition. Somaliland unilaterally declared independence in 1991 following a civil war, but has failed to gain international recognition despite maintaining its own currency, passport and army.

Last week, Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. Israel described the move as being in the spirit of the United States-brokered Abraham Accords, which normalised ties between Israel and several Arab countries. We further note with deep concern reports that this recognition may serve as a pretext for the forced relocation of Palestinians to Northwestern Somalia, Somalia's letter to the UNSC stated.

In a statement on Friday, the AU continental bloc rejected Israel's move and warned that it risked setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent. The AU Commission chair, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said the institution firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entity, recalling that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Saar said the agreement followed a year of extensive dialogue between the two governments and was based on a joint decision by Netanyahu and Abdullahi. We will work together to promote the relations between our countries and nations, regional stability and economic prosperity, Saar wrote on social media, adding that he had instructed his ministry to immediately institutionalise ties across a wide range of fields.