Israel criticised after becoming first country to formally recognise Somaliland as independent nation
Israel has been criticised after it became the first country to formally recognise Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation.
Israel has been criticised after it became the first country to formally recognise Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with the Republic of Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
On Friday he said the declaration "is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump," a reference to an initiative begun in 2020 which established diplomatic and commercial ties between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations.
Image: Somalis react after Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland. Pics: Reuters
However, Somalia's government condemned Israel's move as an "unlawful step" and a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty, with the prime minister's office rejecting any recognition of Somaliland.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that Mr Netanyahu's recognition of the territory was "illegal aggression" and "contrary to established legal and diplomatic rules."
The European Union also called for respect for Somalia's unity and "meaningful dialogue" between Mogadishu and Somaliland to resolve their differences.
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Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia when the country descended into civil war in 1991 and has enjoyed effective autonomy, as well as relative peace and stability, since then.
The US State Department said it continued to recognise the territorial integrity of Somalia, "which includes the territory of Somaliland".