SOMALILAND · DIPLOMACY
Israel’s October election has left Somaliland, a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa, the eastern tip of the continent, that Israel recognised in December 2025, waiting to see what a new Israeli government will do. Israeli media reported on Thursday 12 November, citing unnamed Israeli figures, that Somaliland’s leaders fear the recognition could change and were told it will not.
We found no on-record statement from Somaliland’s government on the report. Israel’s next coalition has not yet been formed.
Key Facts
- What Israeli media report Somaliland fears Israel could reverse its recognition; unnamed Israeli figures say it will not.
- Why now Israel’s 27 October election left Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc at 53 of 120 seats, short of a majority.
- Next Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government on Sunday 8 November.
- Background Israel recognised Somaliland on 26 December 2025; Somalia and the African Union rejected the step.
- Not known Eisenkot’s Somaliland policy, and Somaliland’s own official position.
The question is whether a recognition signed by Netanyahu’s government survives a change of government.
What Israeli Media Reported
On Thursday 12 November, Israeli media reported that Somaliland’s leaders feared Israel’s stance could turn less favourable now that the election has weakened Netanyahu and Eisenkot holds the mandate to form the government. The reports said messages passed to Somaliland, including from figures outside party politics, state that Israel has no intention of reversing its decision.
The reports named none of those sources, and we could not confirm the account with either government. We therefore treat it as a report, not an established fact.
How Israel Got Here
Israel formally recognised Somaliland on 26 December 2025 in a joint declaration signed by Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for Israel and by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi for Somaliland. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, and Israel was the first country to recognise it.
Somalia condemned the step and demanded that Israel withdraw it, and the African Union, Egypt and Turkey also criticised it. As far as we found, no other United Nations member state has recognised Somaliland.
What Happens Next
Under Israel’s Basic Law on the government, Eisenkot has 28 days from the president’s decision to form a coalition, which runs to about 6 December, and the president can extend that by up to 14 days. Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party and is a former army chief of staff, was backed by 67 members of the Knesset, Israel’s 120-seat parliament, against 46 for Netanyahu; the 67 include Arab-led parties.
We found no public Somaliland policy statement from Eisenkot. Until a new government is sworn in, the current one normally continues in office.
What It Means for You
Somaliland’s coast lies on the Gulf of Aden, the sea at the mouth of the Red Sea. A change in Israeli policy would matter mainly to Hargeisa’s hopes of wider recognition, since Israel is the only government we found that has taken that step.
What Is Not Known
It is not known who briefed Somaliland’s leaders, what Eisenkot’s government would do, or whether Somaliland’s government shares the fear described in the Israeli reports. We found no Israeli or Somaliland official who confirmed the reports on the record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Israel recognise Somaliland?
Yes. Israel recognised Somaliland on 26 December 2025 and was the first country to do so.
Will Israel reverse its recognition of Somaliland?
No reversal has been announced. Israeli media say unnamed Israeli figures told Somaliland’s leaders it will not change.
Who is Gadi Eisenkot?
Eisenkot leads Yashar, an Israeli opposition party, and is a former army chief of staff. Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, tasked him with forming a government on 8 November 2026.
Read more: Israel certifies its vote and rejects fraud claims · Somalia news
Sources
Israeli President’s Office, mandate to form a government, 8 November 2026: president.gov.il · Knesset, 2026 election results: main.knesset.gov.il.
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