By Jama Ayaanle Feyte
Puntland and Somalia. Their integration into Somaliland is somewhat contested, not only on nationalist grounds, but also on the basis of clan politics. The Dhulbahante clan, in particular, has been divided between allegiance to Somaliland and Puntland. The city of Las Anod, a Dhulbahante stronghold, has been a flashpoint of recent conflict.
The Warsangeli, Issa, Gabooye, and Samaroon clans fully support the independence of Somaliland. The Isaaq and Harti tribes have coexisted peacefully over the years in the Sanaag region. But recently the federal government of Somalia, with the help of some foreign states notably China and Turkey, have tried to undermine the peaceful tranquility iof the region. To their disappointment, the Sanaag communities have agreed to solve their differences, in a series of resolutions that included an integrated security framework, which endorses the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland.
Recognition strengthens Hargeisa’s hand to pursue inclusive dialogue and development in all regions of the country.
Recognition as a Stabilizing, Not Destabilizing, Force in the Horn of Africa
Somaliland is a de facto nation-state that has maintained peace, held democratic elections, and built functional institutions for over three decades, while southern Somalia has been mired in conflict. The claim that recognition will intensify conflicts in the Horn of Africa assumes a passive, reactive Somaliland and misunderstands the dynamics of sovereignty. Formal recognition will:
Empower diplomacy, by granting Somaliland the international standing to negotiate disputes from a position of strength and legal equality.
Unlock development, by facilitating major foreign investment and infrastructure projects (e.g., Berbera port) and creating economic incentives for others in the region to buy into the Somaliland project.
Deter external aggression, by raising the costs for any actor to fuel instability through military means.
Recognition rewards a model of functional governance. It empowers Somaliland to counter extremism with international support, intelligence cooperation, and economic development — which are the most potent tools against radicalization. Strengthening Somaliland’s state institutions directly undermines the governance vacuum that terrorist groups like al-Shabaab thrive on.
Three Red Herrings
Opponents of Somaliland’s sovereignty often raise three arguments to distract attention from the aforementioned benefits of recognition.
Palestinian Relocation: Somaliland has explicitly denied any discussions of relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Somaliland, and Israel has not proposed it. Introducing this point is a distraction meant to inflame passions. Israel’s recognition is about bilateral relations and regional stability, not demographic engineering.
Somaliland as Islamist: The country’s constitution states that Islam is the religion of the state and the national flag carries the Islamic declaration of faith (just as some Christian countries’ flags display a cross). But the constitution also states that its system of government is a democracy and grants every person the right to freedom of belief. To date, there have been no documented cases of religious persecution against non-Muslims. In short, Somaliland is a traditional, conservative Islamic society but it is not Islamist.
Diplomatic Backlash: The African Union and Arab League’s opposition is predictable but not immutable; both bodies contain members who engage privately with breakaway regions when it serves their interests. The UAE’s favorable view and Ethiopia’s interests in port access demonstrate that pragmatic economic and security concerns ultimately drive policy.
Conclusion
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is a bold, strategically sound decision that advances stability, rewards democratic exceptionalism, and counters malign influences in a critical region.. This is a vote of confidence in Somaliland’s future, in Israel’s strategic vision, and in the power of expanding pro-American partnerships.
