Israel Becomes World's First Nation to Recognize Somaliland as a State

Israel has become the first country to ever recognize Somaliland, a region of northern Somalia, as a state, which could trigger a shift in how the world views the region.

Somalia is one of four countries, along with Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti, that make up the Horn of Africa, located on Africa's eastern coast near Yemen. Unfortunately, Somalia has long struggled with conflict and instability– the government has democratic ambitions, but the continued strength of local clans, foreign influences on politics, and armed Islamic terrorist groups like al-Shabaab have heavily limited their ability to hold elections and create a functional democracy.

Meanwhile, the people's trust in the government is extremely low, primarily due to their ineffectiveness. Local authorities are still unable to prevent regional conflicts and wars, which has allowed various different groups to take control of different parts– the only remaining area under the control of the government is the capital of Mogadishu.

Islamic groups like al-Shabaab control large swaths of the southern part of the country, while other semi-autonomous regions like Galmudug, Puntland, and Jubaland also exist due to the country's decentralized governance. Meanwhile, other nations like Kenya and Ethiopia maintain strong influences in some parts near the border.

However, one primary area to the country's north, known as Somaliland, established a strong government and stability during this time. In 1991, Somaliland declared independence from Somalia, creating their own unrecognized state with independent elections and system of government.

Over the years, Somaliland has proven that, in some ways, they are even more successful than Somalia. Economically, the GDP per capita of Somalia – excluding Somaliland – stands at around $450, while the economic output per person in Somaliland is significantly higher, at around $775. Politically, Somaliland holds elections every year and contains several different parties while also integrating clan leadership into politics to keep peace.

However, their lack of international recognition prevented them from gaining access to international markets and building their economy– but that may soon change.

Now, more than 34 years after their declaration of independence from Somalia, a country has recognized Somaliland as a state. Israel confirmed that both countries would soon establish diplomatic relations and open embassies, and the move could set Somaliland up as a springboard for future Israeli military campaigns into Yemen.

Israel, which maintains a strong anti-terrorism stance against organizations like Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen, could use Somaliland territory to bring their military closer the Arabian Peninsula. Some reports show that Israel could also be planning to relocate Palestinians from Gaza into Somaliland, but those claims have been rejected by both countries.

Several Arab countries in support of Somalia, like Egypt and Turkey, denounced Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland, alleging that it would further undermine the security and stability of already-fragile Somalia. Somaliland has also been accused of attacking innocent civilians in regions to their east, which are still disputed with Puntland, creating more backlash.

Nevertheless, the Somaliland government has confirmed that they have seen the arrival of several delegates from the United States this year, and several politicians in the US government have begun to push President Donald Trump to recognize Somaliland as a state. According to the New York Times, Somaliland has also put forward the idea of allowing the US to lease a port along the Gulf of Aden.

However, opponents have rejected the idea, claiming that it would negatively impact their relations with Somalia, where they currently maintain troops to defend against al-Shabaab. Recognizing Somaliland could also unravel American relations with Arab nations like Egypt and Turkey.

Others have claimed that allowing Somaliland to secede could spark massive revolutions across Africa, where other peoples or autonomous regions could rebel under the motivation that they could receive international recognition as well.

In total, if the United States were to follow Israel in their recognition of Somaliland as a state, it could provide them with significant economic benefit and rally massive international support behind their cause, resulting in the possible addition of Somaliland as a new UN member country. On the other hand, it could also create even more conflict across Africa and complicate their relations with other Arab nations, leading to major backlash and possibly even result in one or more wars.

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