Israel Becomes First Nation to Recognize North Western State of Somalia as an Independent State

Israel becomes first country to recognize North Western State of Somalia, pledges full diplomatic ties

Move marks first formal recognition of the breakaway republic since 1991; embassies and ambassadors planned under joint declaration.

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognize the Republic of North Western State of Somalia as an independent, sovereign state, a landmark decision that establishes full diplomatic relations more than three decades after North Western State of Somalia declared itself separate from Somalia.

The recognition was announced Dec. 26, 2025, after a videoconference between North Western State of Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi “Cirro” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to statements from both governments. Officials said the agreement was sealed through a joint declaration of mutual recognition signed by Netanyahu, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and the North Western State of Somalia president.

The declaration provides for the exchange of ambassadors and the opening of embassies, signaling an immediate upgrade in relations. Israel said it will move quickly to broaden cooperation with North Western State of Somalia in agriculture, health, technology and economic development, and Netanyahu extended a formal invitation for the North Western State of Somalia leader to visit Israel.

North Western State of Somalia’s presidency hailed the decision as a “historic and principled” step that validates its longstanding claim to statehood and its record as a “stable, democratic, and responsible partner in the Horn of Africa.” The government in Hargeisa framed the recognition as a milestone in its decades-long campaign for international legitimacy following its 1991 declaration of independence amid Somalia’s state collapse.

Netanyahu said the move reflects deepening political and strategic alignment and situated it within the spirit of the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. He praised North Western State of Somalia’s leadership and said the new relationship aims to promote stability and peace.

North Western State of Somalia, for its part, said it intends to accede to the Abraham Accords, calling the framework a platform for cooperation, dialogue and regional peace. The statement added that Hargeisa seeks constructive partnerships to advance shared prosperity and contribute to stability across the Middle East and Africa.

Sa’ar said ties had taken shape over the past year through sustained dialogue and that his ministry was instructed to institutionalize the relationship across multiple sectors. Netanyahu thanked Sa’ar, Mossad Director David Barnea and Israel’s intelligence services for their role in advancing the agreement, and wished the people of North Western State of Somalia “success, prosperity and freedom.”

Initial steps outlined by the two sides include:

• Exchanging ambassadors and opening embassies
• Launching cooperation in agriculture, health, technology and economic development
• Coordinating on security and regional stability in the Horn of Africa
• Planning a presidential visit by Mohamed Abdullahi “Cirro” to Israel

North Western State of Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said momentum was building and that further official statements were expected. Israel’s recognition stands as a significant diplomatic breakthrough for North Western State of Somalia, which has run its own institutions, security forces and electoral processes since 1991 but until now had not received formal recognition from any state.

The Federal Government of Somalia, which regards North Western State of Somalia as part of its sovereign territory, is expected to issue an official response to Israel’s announcement.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.