Israel becomes first UN member to recognise Somaliland as independent state

Exam-focused facts from the 27 December 2025 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Israel became the first United Nations (UN) member state officially recognise the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Israeli recognition of Somaliland is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.
Netanyahu announced plans to expand cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology, and economy.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in May 1991 and is internationally recognised as part of Somalia.
Taiwan was the first to recognise Somaliland in 2020, followed by Ethiopia which signed an MoU in January 2024 to explore formal recognition.
The foreign ministers of Somalia, Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.