Ryan Prosser
Published December 27, 2025
METRO UK
Reports suggest Trump is not interested in acknowledging Muslim-majority Somaliland
Donald Trump has indicated he is not yet prepared to fully recognise Somaliland.
On Friday, Israel broke ranks to become the first state to formally support the breakaway republic.
Somaliland is located on the Horn of Africa and shares borders with Djibouti to the north, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia, from which it has broken away, to the east.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring up the subject during his scheduled meeting with the US president on Monday.
However, the New York Post reported Trump was not interested in acknowledging the Muslim-majority state.
‘Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?’, he is quoted as asking at his West Palm Beach golf course.
Donald Trump has indicated he is not yet prepared to fully recognise Somaliland.
On Friday, Israel broke ranks to become the first state to formally support the breakaway republic.
Somaliland is located on the Horn of Africa and shares borders with Djibouti to the north, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia, from which it has broken away, to the east.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring up the subject during his scheduled meeting with the US president on Monday.
However, the New York Post reported Trump was not interested in acknowledging the Muslim-majority state.
‘Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?’, he is quoted as asking at his West Palm Beach golf course.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first world leader to formally recognise Somaliland on Friday (Picture: Reuters)
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, has offered to join the Abraham Accords, which comprises Arab nations that have normalised relations with Israel.
It has successfully held democratic elections and is viewed as a stable entity, in contrast with unstable Somalia.
It has also extended an offer of land for a possible US naval base in the Gulf of Aden in the Red Sea.
However, Trump seemed largely dismissive of both suggestions. He remarked, ‘big deal’ and added that all proposals were ‘under study’.
‘I study a lot of things and always make great decisions and they turn out to be correct,’ he said.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, has offered to join the Abraham Accords, which comprises Arab nations that have normalised relations with Israel.
It has successfully held democratic elections and is viewed as a stable entity, in contrast with unstable Somalia.
It has also extended an offer of land for a possible US naval base in the Gulf of Aden in the Red Sea.
However, Trump seemed largely dismissive of both suggestions. He remarked, ‘big deal’ and added that all proposals were ‘under study’.
‘I study a lot of things and always make great decisions and they turn out to be correct,’ he said.
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has been the president of Somaliland since 2024 (Picture: Reuters)
The president further suggested his talks with Netanyahu would be dominated by the situation in the Gaza Strip rather than other affairs.
Among US proponents for Somaliland is arch Trump loyalist Congressman Scott Perry, who has submitted an act to recognise the nation.
A former British protectorate, Somaliland gained de facto independence from its civil war-torn neighbour in 1991.
While it enjoys strong relations with neighbouring Ethiopia and some Arab nations including the UAE, other countries in the region advocate against its independence, including Egypt and Turkey.
The president further suggested his talks with Netanyahu would be dominated by the situation in the Gaza Strip rather than other affairs.
Among US proponents for Somaliland is arch Trump loyalist Congressman Scott Perry, who has submitted an act to recognise the nation.
A former British protectorate, Somaliland gained de facto independence from its civil war-torn neighbour in 1991.
While it enjoys strong relations with neighbouring Ethiopia and some Arab nations including the UAE, other countries in the region advocate against its independence, including Egypt and Turkey.
Somali president condemns Israel's Netanyahu for ‘blatant attack’ on Somalia’s sovereignty
In his address to special joint session of federal parliament, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warns that Israel's recognition of breakaway Somaliland region risks further destabilizing the Horn of Africa region
Mohamed Dhaysane |28.12.2025 - TRT/AA
In his address to special joint session of federal parliament, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warns that Israel's recognition of breakaway Somaliland region risks further destabilizing the Horn of Africa region
Mohamed Dhaysane |28.12.2025 - TRT/AA
President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
MOGADISHU, Somalia
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his "blatant attack" on Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as his "disregard for international law and established norms" during the joint parliament's special session to discuss the issue.
In his address to a special joint session of the federal parliament in the capital, Mogadishu, Mohamud strongly condemned Israel's recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region.
“Such null and void actions risk further destabilizing the Horn of Africa region and reviving extremist elements, undermining the significant gains made in the fight against international terrorism,” the president warned.
He said his country is committed to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He added that the breakaway Somaliland region will “remain an inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
Mohamud also held a consultative meeting with former national leaders and opposition figures as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national cohesion and unity in the face of Israel’s violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israel became the world’s first country to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state on Friday, drawing condemnation from Türkiye, a close ally of Somalia, and countries in Africa and the Middle East, among others.
Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity, with the central government struggling to assert control over the region and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.
MOGADISHU, Somalia
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his "blatant attack" on Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as his "disregard for international law and established norms" during the joint parliament's special session to discuss the issue.
In his address to a special joint session of the federal parliament in the capital, Mogadishu, Mohamud strongly condemned Israel's recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region.
“Such null and void actions risk further destabilizing the Horn of Africa region and reviving extremist elements, undermining the significant gains made in the fight against international terrorism,” the president warned.
He said his country is committed to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He added that the breakaway Somaliland region will “remain an inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
Mohamud also held a consultative meeting with former national leaders and opposition figures as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national cohesion and unity in the face of Israel’s violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israel became the world’s first country to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state on Friday, drawing condemnation from Türkiye, a close ally of Somalia, and countries in Africa and the Middle East, among others.
Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity, with the central government struggling to assert control over the region and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.
EU backs Somalia’s unity after Israel's Somaliland recognition
The EU said it encourages meaningful dialogue between Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia.
The European Union has said respecting Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity is “key for the peace and stability of the entire Horn of Africa region,” following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state a day earlier.
In a statement on Saturday, the bloc said it “reaffirms the importance of respecting the unity, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” in line with its constitution and the charters of the African Union and the UN.
The EU said it “encourages meaningful dialogue between Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia to resolve long-standing differences.”
The recognition of the Somaliland region by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is against international law, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.
“The illegal aggression of PM Netanyahu in recognising a part of Somalia’s northern region is against international law,” Mohamud wrote on X.
“Meddling with Somalia’s internal affairs is contrary to established legal & diplomatic rules. Somalia & its people are one: inseparable by division from afar,” he added.
Israel became the world’s first country on Friday to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, drawing condemnation from Türkiye and countries in Africa and the Middle East, among others.
The EU said it encourages meaningful dialogue between Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia.
The European Union has said respecting Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity is “key for the peace and stability of the entire Horn of Africa region,” following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state a day earlier.
In a statement on Saturday, the bloc said it “reaffirms the importance of respecting the unity, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” in line with its constitution and the charters of the African Union and the UN.
The EU said it “encourages meaningful dialogue between Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia to resolve long-standing differences.”
The recognition of the Somaliland region by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is against international law, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.
“The illegal aggression of PM Netanyahu in recognising a part of Somalia’s northern region is against international law,” Mohamud wrote on X.
“Meddling with Somalia’s internal affairs is contrary to established legal & diplomatic rules. Somalia & its people are one: inseparable by division from afar,” he added.
Israel became the world’s first country on Friday to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, drawing condemnation from Türkiye and countries in Africa and the Middle East, among others.
Arab-Islamic Statement Rejects Link Between Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland and Attempts to Expel Palestinians
People walk along a street before the opening of polling stations for voting in the municipal elections in Hodan district of Mogadishu, Somalia December 25, 2025. REUTERS/Feisal Omar
Asharq Al Awsat
28 December 2025
People walk along a street before the opening of polling stations for voting in the municipal elections in Hodan district of Mogadishu, Somalia December 25, 2025. REUTERS/Feisal Omar
Asharq Al Awsat
28 December 2025
AD ـ 08 Rajab 1447 AH
A growing number of countries are rejecting Israel's recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation, the first by any country in more than 30 years.
A joint statement by more than 20 mostly Middle Eastern or African countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday rejected Israel's recognition “given the serious repercussions of such unprecedented measure on peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea and its serious effects on international peace and security as a whole.”
The joint statement also noted “the full rejection of any potential link between such measure and any attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Friday that he, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, signed a joint declaration “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.”
Somalia’s federal government on Friday strongly rejected what it described as an unlawful move by Israel, and reaffirmed that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia’s sovereign territory.
African regional bodies also rejected Israel's recognition. African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said that any attempt to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty risks peace and stability on the continent.
East African governing body IGAD said in a statement that Somalia’s sovereignty was recognized under international law and any unilateral recognition “runs contrary to the charter of the United Nations” and agreements establishing the bloc and the African Union.
The US State Department on Saturday said that it continued to recognize the territorial integrity of Somalia, "which includes the territory of Somaliland.”
A growing number of countries are rejecting Israel's recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation, the first by any country in more than 30 years.
A joint statement by more than 20 mostly Middle Eastern or African countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday rejected Israel's recognition “given the serious repercussions of such unprecedented measure on peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea and its serious effects on international peace and security as a whole.”
The joint statement also noted “the full rejection of any potential link between such measure and any attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Friday that he, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, signed a joint declaration “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.”
Somalia’s federal government on Friday strongly rejected what it described as an unlawful move by Israel, and reaffirmed that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia’s sovereign territory.
African regional bodies also rejected Israel's recognition. African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said that any attempt to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty risks peace and stability on the continent.
East African governing body IGAD said in a statement that Somalia’s sovereignty was recognized under international law and any unilateral recognition “runs contrary to the charter of the United Nations” and agreements establishing the bloc and the African Union.
The US State Department on Saturday said that it continued to recognize the territorial integrity of Somalia, "which includes the territory of Somaliland.”
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