U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks underscore Somaliland’s distinct identity and its separate political reality.
The Republic of Somaliland remains steadfast in its pursuit of international recognition through principled diplomacy and constructive international engagement.
⛔️ Back in 2005, President Daahir Riyaale gave an interview to Al Jazeera. He was asked about Somaliland’s relationship with Israel.
Q: There has been a lot of talk about your relationship with Israel, so what is the truth of these relations?
President Daahir Riyaale: “There are a large number of Arab countries that have good relations with Israel. We still don’t have relations with Israel, and we will study this matter in the future. If we have an interest in establishing relations with Israel, we will establish them… Some Arabs tell us not to establish relations with Israel, while they themselves enjoy excellent relations with it… 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐮𝐬”
20 years later, after Arab league & most of Arab countries spent decades sabotaging Somaliland & trying to isolate it, Somaliland and Israel re-recognised each other & established official diplomatic relations.
https://t.co/xyraXUKT0j
Somaliland came close to securing formal recognition from Guinea-Bissau in late July, which would have made it the second UN member state to recognize the breakaway region after Israel did so in December 2025.
The deal collapsed after Somalia's federal government learned of the visit and intervened, backed by Türkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
essing its adherence to UN Charter principles and territorial integrity.
Somaliland has been lobbying other African states including Eswatini and South Sudan, with reported backing from the UAE and Israel.
Somalia claims it has successfully dissuaded at least six countries from following Israel's lead.
Source: Mada Masr