A bunch of countries just blasted Israel's new diplomatic move. Twenty-one nations from the Arab, Islamic, and African world jointly rejected Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent from Somalia. They called it a major breach of international law that could wreck peace in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, hurting global security. The group also denied any connection between this recognition and pushing Palestinians off their land. This reaction comes after Israeli leaders, President Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, signed a deal aligning with the older Abraham Accords, a Trump-era framework for Middle East relations.
Somaliland declared itself independent back in 1991 following a brutal civil war. It runs its own government and has its own money, but it never got formal recognition until Israel's move. Analysts point to the area's distinct culture and relative stability compared to the dysfunctional Somali state as reasons for its push for sovereignty.
Other global powers are not on board either. The United States State Department restated its position, saying it still sees Somaliland as part of Somalia's territory. This came after a failed earlier idea, pushed by the U.S. and Israel, for Somaliland to accept Palestinians from Gaza. The European Union also criticized the recognition, saying it undermines regional peace and security. The EU finished its statement by urging the Somali government to work out its problems with Somaliland.
Somaliland declared itself independent back in 1991 following a brutal civil war. It runs its own government and has its own money, but it never got formal recognition until Israel's move. Analysts point to the area's distinct culture and relative stability compared to the dysfunctional Somali state as reasons for its push for sovereignty.
Other global powers are not on board either. The United States State Department restated its position, saying it still sees Somaliland as part of Somalia's territory. This came after a failed earlier idea, pushed by the U.S. and Israel, for Somaliland to accept Palestinians from Gaza. The European Union also criticized the recognition, saying it undermines regional peace and security. The EU finished its statement by urging the Somali government to work out its problems with Somaliland.
