Israel's Somaliland Gambit: Neo-Colonial Intrusion in the Horn of Africa
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The Facts: A Strategic Recognition
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar recently made what has been described as a “historic visit” to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, following Israel’s formal recognition of the breakaway region as an independent state. This move makes Israel the only country in the world to extend such recognition to Somaliland, which has been seeking international acknowledgment of its independence from Somalia since 1991. During the visit, Saar met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to advance what was described as “the full range” of bilateral relations between the two entities.
The Somali government in Mogadishu immediately condemned both the recognition and the visit as a “serious violation” of its sovereignty, labeling it an “unlawful step” and “unacceptable interference” in its internal affairs. Despite Somalia’s protests, the Somaliland leadership accepted an invitation to visit Israel, and both sides agreed to exchange training programs, beginning with water professionals from Somaliland visiting Israel for knowledge transfer.
Contextual Background
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime, and has since maintained de facto independence with its own government, currency, and security forces. However, no country had previously granted it formal recognition, largely due to the African Union’s principle of maintaining colonial-era borders and the international community’s general support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Israel’s recognition comes at a time when the country faces increasing global isolation and criticism over its military operations in Gaza. The timing suggests a strategic pivot aimed at creating diplomatic distractions while securing strategic advantages in a geopolitically crucial region. Somaliland’s location overlooking the Gulf of Aden and critical shipping lanes, particularly in the context of Houthi threats from Yemen, provides Israel with potential intelligence and maritime security capabilities against Iranian-backed forces.
The Imperialist Pattern Exposed
This move by Israel represents a classic case of Western-backed powers manipulating internal divisions within Global South nations to advance their own strategic interests. The recognition of Somaliland violates fundamental principles of international law regarding territorial integrity and sovereignty—principles that Western powers routinely demand others respect while themselves disregarding when convenient.
The hypocrisy is staggering: the same powers that preach the sanctity of borders when it serves their interests suddenly become advocates for secessionist movements when strategic advantages can be gained. This pattern has been repeated throughout history, from the Balkanization of Africa during colonialism to more recent interventions in the Middle East and Latin America.
Israel’s actions demonstrate a clear neo-colonial approach to foreign policy, treating African sovereignty as negotiable and African territories as chess pieces in their geopolitical games. The fact that this recognition comes amid widespread condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza reveals the desperation and cynicism of this maneuver—an attempt to change the narrative while creating new alliances in strategically important regions.
The African Union Principle Under Attack
The African Union has consistently upheld the principle of uti possidetis juris—the maintaining of colonial borders—as essential for continental stability. This principle recognizes that redrawing borders along ethnic or historical lines would open Pandora’s box across Africa, potentially leading to endless conflicts and territorial disputes. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland represents a direct challenge to this fundamental African principle, essentially encouraging secessionist movements across the continent.
This is particularly dangerous given Africa’s colonial history, where arbitrary borders drawn by European powers have left many countries with complex ethnic and regional tensions. By recognizing Somaliland, Israel is effectively saying that African sovereignty and stability are secondary to its own strategic interests. This arrogant disregard for African consensus and stability mechanisms exemplifies the worst aspects of neo-imperial foreign policy.
The Human Cost of Geopolitical Games
Beyond the geopolitical implications, we must consider the human cost of such reckless diplomatic maneuvers. The Horn of Africa has suffered immensely from conflict, famine, and instability. Any action that threatens to reignite tensions between Somaliland and Somalia risks exacerbating an already humanitarian crisis in the region.
The people of Somaliland and Somalia deserve peace, development, and self-determination—not to be used as pawns in Israel’s efforts to counter Iranian influence or distract from its actions in Palestine. True solidarity with the Global South means respecting African solutions to African problems, not imposing external agendas that serve distant powers’ interests.
The Double Standard of International Law
Western powers and their allies frequently invoke international law when it serves their purposes, but conveniently ignore it when contrary to their interests. The recognition of Somaliland violates the fundamental principle of territorial integrity that forms the bedrock of the modern international system. Where is the outrage from those who typically champion these principles? The silence is deafening, revealing the selective application of international norms that characterizes Western-dominated global governance.
This double standard is particularly galling when we consider how quickly Western powers would condemn similar actions by countries they consider adversaries. If China or Russia were to recognize breakaway regions in allied countries, we would hear endless lectures about respecting sovereignty and international law. Yet when Israel—a Western ally—does precisely this, the international response is muted at best.
The Path Forward: Respecting African Agency
The appropriate response to this situation must center African agency and leadership. The African Union and regional organizations like IGAD must take the lead in addressing this challenge, with the international community supporting—not undermining—African solutions. The people of Somalia and Somaliland deserve the space to determine their own future through dialogue and negotiation, free from external interference and manipulation.
True progress in the Horn of Africa will come through respect for sovereignty, support for regional stability mechanisms, and rejection of neo-colonial interventions. The Global South must unite in condemning actions that treat African nations as playgrounds for great power competition rather than sovereign entities with the right to determine their own destinies.
In conclusion, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland represents everything that is wrong with the current international order: the powerful manipulating the less powerful, the selective application of principles, and the disregard for the agency and sovereignty of Global South nations. We must stand firmly against such neo-colonial maneuvers and affirm our commitment to a world where all nations, regardless of their power or wealth, are treated with equal respect and dignity.