HADHWANAAGNEWS
By Mohamed Abdi Jama (Mohamed Dhimbiil)
For more than three decades, the Republic of Somaliland has existed as a peaceful, democratic, and self-governing state in the Horn of Africa.
Yet its legal status continues to be misunderstood, often framed as a "secessionist claim” rather than what it truly is: the reassertion of a sovereign state that already existed under international law.
In this context, potential recognition by Israel would not be a radical departure from international norms, but a principled affirmation of legal reality and strategic foresight.
A Legal Case Rooted in International Law
Somaliland’s claim to statehood rests on solid legal foundations. On 26 June 1960, Somaliland attained independence from the United Kingdom and was recognized by multiple states. This sovereignty was not theoretical; it was practical and internationally acknowledged.
The subsequent union with the former Italian Somalia was entered into voluntarily, yet it failed to meet fundamental legal requirements and ultimately collapsed in 1991.
Under the doctrine of state continuity, the dissolution of that union did not extinguish Somaliland’s prior sovereignty. Rather, it restored it.
Somaliland today fulfilled all criteria of statehood under the Montevideo Convention of 1933:
A permanent population
A defined territory
An effective government
The capacity to engage in international relations
Few entities seeking recognition can demonstrate such sustained governance, security, and democratic legitimacy over such a long period.
Moreover, the principle of remedial secession further strengthens Somaliland’s case. The mass atrocities committed against its population during the 1980s documented and acknowledged internationally provide compelling justification for withdrawal from a union that had become destructive and illegitimate.
Why Israel’s Recognition Matters
Recognition by Israel would carry both legal clarity and strategic weight. Legally, it would underscore a critical point:
1- Somaliland is not a newly formed entity seeking to break international order, but a previously recognized state reclaiming its place within it. Israel’s own history marked by state-building under complex legal and geopolitical pressures gives it a unique understanding of such claims.
2- Strategically, Israel’s recognition could serve as a diplomatic catalyst. It would challenge the inertia that has long paralyzed international engagement with Somaliland and encourage other states to reassess their positions based on law and facts rather than outdated political assumptions.
Shared Strategic Interests
Beyond legality, Somaliland and Israel share converging interests.
1- Somaliland’s location along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea corridor places it at the heart of one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.
2- Stability in this region is not optional; it is a global necessity. Somaliland has proven itself a reliable partner in maritime security, counterterrorism, and regional stability.
Israel, for its part, brings expertise in:
Technology
Agriculture
Water management
Security
Innovation
Areas critical to Somaliland’s long-term development.
A partnership grounded in mutual recognition would not only benefit both societies but also contribute to broader stability in the Horn of Africa.
A Question of Principle, Not Precedent
Critics often argue that recognizing Somaliland could set a dangerous precedent. This concern is misplaced.
Somaliland’s case is sui generis unique in its historical recognition, defined borders inherited from colonial treaties, and three decades of effective self-rule.
Recognizing Somaliland would not weaken international law; it would reinforce it by honouring legality over political convenience.
Finally
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland would be neither symbolic nor disruptive. It would be a principled acknowledgment of a legal reality long ignored and a strategic investment in a stable, democratic partner in a volatile region.
For the international community, the question is no longer whether Somaliland meets the criteria for statehood it clearly does but whether global actors are prepared to align their policies with the rule of law and the facts on the ground.
History will judge not Somaliland’s patience, but the world’s hesitation.
Mohamed Abdi Jama
(Dhimbiil Mohamed )
Hargeisa ,
Republic of Somaliland
Hadhwanaagnews marnaba masuul kama aha Aragtida dadka kale. Qoraaga ayaa xumaanteeda, xushmadeeda iyo xilkeeda sida. waxa kaliya oo Hadhwanaagmedia dhiirigalinaysaa, isdhaafsiga aragtida, canaanta gacaliyo talo wadaagga!
