Washington: US President Donald Trump has ruled out American recognition of Republic of Somaliland, distancing Washington from Israel’s decision to formally acknowledge the breakaway territory. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump responded with a blunt “No” when asked about recognising Somaliland, adding dismissively, “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?”
Trump’s remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had become the first country to recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state—a move that has triggered strong backlash from Somalia and the African Union.
🚨 PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID IT PERFECTLY: “I don’t want to see SOMALIA. I don’t want to see a woman that married her BROTHER to get in, becomes a Congressman, and does nothing but COMPLAIN.”
“Let her go back and fix up her own country! Somalia!” 💯🔥pic.twitter.com/4wu2HFN0vB
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 27, 2025
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has functioned as a de facto state with its own government, currency and security forces but has long struggled for international recognition. That goal has been a top priority for President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who took office last year.
Somalia’s foreign ministry condemned Israel’s decision as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty, warning it could destabilise the region. The African Union echoed the concern, cautioning that undermining Somalia’s territorial integrity sets a “dangerous precedent” for peace and stability across Africa. AU chief Mahamoud Ali Youssouf reiterated that Somaliland remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Netanyahu’s office described the recognition as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, launched during Trump’s presidency. Netanyahu invited President Abdullahi to visit Israel, calling the move historic and promising closer economic and strategic cooperation. Abdullahi welcomed the decision, describing it as the start of a strategic partnership and expressing readiness to join the Abraham Accords. Celebrations broke out in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from regional players. Turkey called it interference in Somalia’s internal affairs, while Egypt joined Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti in reaffirming support for Somalia’s unity.
Analysts say Israel’s move reflects strategic calculations tied to Somaliland’s location along the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea shipping routes, especially amid tensions involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. For Somaliland, Israel’s recognition brings symbolic legitimacy but leaves it diplomatically isolated, as the US and key regional and African powers continue to back Somalia’s territorial integrity.
